Gardendale, AL: Pit Bull Ban Outrage

Gardendale passed a ban on “pit bulls” on Jan. 18, 2010. Previous alert: http://stopbsl.com/2010/01/20/gardendale-al-pit-bull-ban-passed/

Contact information for city councilmembers and more info about city council meetings: http://www.cityofgardendale.com/citycouncil.php

http://www.cbs42.com/mostpopular/story/Pit-Bull-Ban-Outrage/3iIyTvmiG0aVH-uHBNBqhg.cspx

Pit Bull Ban Outrage

Reported by: Anna Donaldson
Last Update: 2/02 1:18 am

Just looking at Jason and Kayren Davis’ two dogs – Candy Cane the pit bull and a Maggie Mayhem the chihuahua – which would you think is sweeter?

Jason says just like their names, Cane the pit bull is sweeter and less likely to bite.

“I’ve had a lot of different type of dogs…all the other dogs I had been bitten by…but pit bulls…never been bit once by them.”

That’s why Jason and Kayren can’t understand why the city of Gardendale recently passed a ban on pit bulls.

“Pretty angry…it’s just ignorance. You can’t stereotype a whole breed just because of something you heard,” says Kayren.

Dr. Jeremy Hodges of Gardendale Pet Clinic says based on their size, pit bulls just get a bad rap.

“I have seen many more dogs that were not pit bulls quarantined due to bite wounds inflicted on humans…rather than pit bulls,” says Dr. Hodges.

Tonight, many pit bull owners showed up at the Gardendale city council meeting asking the council to repeal the ordinance which requires previous owners to show proof of liability insurance of at least $100,000. They also must keep their pit bull in a kennel or pen. If on a leash, it must be muzzled.

If found in violation, the owner could be fined up to $500 or spend up to 30 days in jail. The dog would face impoundment or removal from the city.

Without going into detail, Mayor Othell Phillips says there have been four incidents recently in Gardendale with pit bulls and their interaction with humans and other animals.

“We are just looking out for the public safety and welfare of the employees, first responders, and citizens,” says Mayor Phillips.

Mayor Phillips says he and the council will consider the concerns of the pit bull owners.

The cities of Mountain Brook, Irondale, and Fultondale also have passed similar ordinances.