Ohio Cities Cracking Down on Pit Bulls (Big Time)

Ohio - There is so much news coming from the state of Ohio about new pit bull regulations that DogsBite.org cannot keep track. We wish every state reflected a similar cacophony and commitment toward the safety of its children, senior citizens and pets. Trail blazers these Ohioans are -- DogsBite.org nominates them as a Hero State. We promise to do our best to keep up!

Cincinnati - The City of Cincinnati may be about to unleash "Pit Bull Police" on the streets. A new ordinance city council's voting on will make the existing pit bull ban more enforceable by putting two trained police officers on the street in each police district. These officers will be trained by the SPCA to identify pit bull type dogs. That way, if the dog is a pit bull, the dog can be seized immediately.

Lakewood - Just outside of Cleveland, the town of Lakewood is determining whether or not a pit bull ban is needed. Ohio state law already requires pit bull owners to have $100,000 worth of liability insurance, six-foot fences and muzzles on the dogs. But these measures have not proven to be enough in Lakewood. The increased measure will go to the Public Safety Committee and several public hearings before a decision is made.

Racine - Police Marshal Curtis Jones brought the idea of a vicious dog ban to council after a recent incident. Jones had restrained a loose pit bull on a cable and chain until the dog warden could arrive, but the dog broke both tethers and jumped into another fenced-in yard with dogs. After jumping two more fences, Jones caught up to it. The dog then charged Jones, so he fired one shot into it, but the dog "kept on going." The dog was shot three times before it expired.

Other Ohio cities considering stronger pit bull measures include: Whitehall, Sylvania, Lorain and likely a handful of others. A state-wide pit bull ban is also being considered. Given the obvious trend in the state, toward stricter regulation, the latter makes the most sense of all.

Related articles:
05/21/08: HB 568: Ohio State Wants to Ban All Pit Bulls
04/08/08: Ohio City May Prohibit Convicted Felons from Owning Pit Bulls
03/25/08: Lorain, Ohio Still Ironing Out Pit Bull Ordinance

Labels: dog law