[Purple]

Fayetteville Pit Bull Ordinance Results in Only 1 Dog Registration


FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. It's been more than four months since Fayetteville city leaders passed a law cracking down on pit bulls. But since the ordinance took effect, only one pit bull is registered with the city.

The ordinance requires pit bull owners to pay a $100 registration fee, have a $100,000 insurance policy per dog, and maintain a structurally sound cage. City leaders said most owners simply can't meet those requirements.

"They're moving into the county or dropping these dogs off at our animal shelter, so they have to make a choice, financially, can they afford it, or just getting rid of those animals," said Fayetteville Mayor Gwen Shelton.

Many of the pit bulls have been dropped off at the county's animal shelter. More than 80 pit bulls have arrived there since July. Those dogs are not allowed to be adopted in Lincoln County, and most of them end up being put down.

"Our dangerous dog problem has gone away," said Fayetteville Police Chief Doug Carver. "It's at a minimum right now."

However, some residents said they feel the city isn't enforcing the law at all, and they're still uneasy.

"I see a pit bull out in my parking lot," said resident J.C. Stewart. "Yeah, it bothers me. I'm concerned about it."

Stewart said the pit bull problem hasn't disappeared.

"It's not being enforced," he said. "I see them everyday. I run a supermarket, and they're in the lot."

The owner of one Fayetteville house owns multiple pit bulls. WAAY-31 News told police officials about the residence after talking with the owner earlier in the year. After investigating, they said the owner of the five dogs had failed to register with the city.

If the pit bulls aren't registered within the next few days, police officers said they will take action.

"If we haven't heard from him, we will be back," one officer told WAAY-31 News.

http://www.waaytv.com/global/story.asp?s=7368295

[jennay2]

It makes my heart ache to read articles like this...

[LoveThosePits]

Horrible! I hate reading articles like this.