Breed specific legislation off the table in Elkhart
It started as a proposed ban on pit bulls and it's been front and center for months in Elkhart.
Thursday night, some progress was made on crafting a new animal ordinance that would best protect people, yet still hold owners accountable.
It appears breed specific legislation is off the table. It will be in the form of a dangerous dog ordinance. The ad-hoc committee made of nine members has had several meetings because this topic has been such a concern to people in the community. Especially, since a four year-old girl was severely injured when she was attacked by a neighbor's pit bull.
In the beginning, the proposed pit bull ordinance had people in the community packing in the meetings at city hall. So, the ad hoc committee made up of veterinarians, people from the humane society, and Common Council President Rod Roberson decided to analyze the issue and work to find the best possible solution.
The animal ordinance in Elkhart hasn't changed since the 80's, so the majority agreed changes were long overdue.
A plan was agreed upon by the ad-hoc committee, but it hasn't been formally proposed to the council.
As expected, breed specific legislation is off the table.
Common Council member Mary Olson says, “I think there was great concern amongst the public that we address the issue of dangerous dogs in total rather than look at breed or breeds and there are a number of us that felt strongly this is the direction this council should go in.”
Olson says the council will be formally presented with this ordinance on December 7th. They will likely voter at the following meeting on December 21st.
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