Ridgeland, MS update: Pit bulls spark heated court battle between neighbors (BSL proposed)

BSL will be discussed during a city council work session at Ridgeland City Hall at 6:30 PM November 17th and at a board meeting at Ridgeland City Hall at 6:30 PM on November 18th.

Contact information for Mayor and Board of Alderman can be found here:
http://www.ridgelandms.org/aldermen/board-of-alderman.html

http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=9262065

Pit bulls spark heated court battle between neighbors

Ridgeland 10/29/08
Oct 29, 2008 05:42 PM CDT
Updated: Oct 30, 2008 08:22 AM CDT
By Monica Hernandez, WLBT 3

RIDGELAND, MS (WLBT) – April Scott is so terrified of the dogs next door to her home on Ralde Circle in Ridgeland, she took her neighbors to Ridgeland Municipal Court Wednesday on charges that their pit bulls and Rottweiler are a danger.

“My concern originally, and still is, for the safety of me and my family,” said Scott. ”But that doesn’t mean I’m not concerned for the other children in the neighborhood.”

Scott has hours of video showing the dogs charging at her fence. But Gloria and Pete Grantham argued that their dogs aren’t dangerous. The Granthams have video of the dogs playing with children during a recent cookout.

“I had 20-something people in my backyard-when we started my privacy fence- and no one got bit, nobody got ate. The kids had a ball,” said Gloria Grantham.

Scott has called Ridgeland animal control to the Grantham’s home nearly two dozen times, but an animal control officer testifed that the dogs aren’t dangerous.

A dozen of the Grantham’s neighbors and family members testified on the the Granthams behalf in Ridgeland Muncipal Court.

“They’re not vicious,” said Amanda Mason, who lives in the neighborhood. ”My baby is three-months old. If they were going to be vicious, they would have already attacked her, and all they do is lick her toes.”

The Granthams are building an eight-foot privacy fence, but Scott and her live-in uncle said they won’t be satisfied until it’s finished.

“It’s not complete, it’s only down 25% of the yard which is not going to keep the dogs in,” said Scott’ uncle, Mose McBride.

After hours of heated arguments, a Ridgeland Municipal Court Judge decided that there’s not enough proof that the dogs are dangerous under the city’s current ordinance. The judge also found insufficient proof to support charges that the Granthams are stalking Scott or that Pete Grantham assaulted Scott’s uncle. He issued a no contact order between the two neighbors.

The neighbors have appeared in court multiple times, and even appeared before the Ridgeland Board of Alderman, to settle the dispute. They said they’re not sure the judge’s decision will settle the heated fight over the dogs.

This ongoing case has sparked the city of Ridgeland to consider strengthening it’s vicious dogs ordinance. The mayor and board of alderman are discussing a few options, including a breed specific ordinance. They plan to discuss those options during a work session at Ridgeland City Hall at 6:30 PM November 17th and at board meeting at Ridgeland City Hall at 6:30 PM on November 18th.