Youngstown banned pit bulls beginning Saturday.

 

CANFIELD — Council will consider whether it wants to ban certain dog breeds in the city.

 

Mark Fortunato, the city's legal counsel, said Wednesday at the council's meeting that he is updating the city's vicious dog ordinance.

 

"Do you want to ban certain dogs by breed?" he asked lawmakers.

 

Council President Andrew Skrobola pointed out that Youngstown recently passed a ban on pit bulls, a breed that is often used for fighting.

 

"It might be wise for us to take a look at that ordinance," he said.

 

Fortunato said he knows of no problem with certain breeds of dog within the city. "I'm just trying to be ahead of the curve," he added.

 

Fortunato said he can prepare two versions of an ordinance. One would just require a "highly regulated licensing situation" for vicious dogs. The other would include a ban on them.

 

City Manager Charles Tieche said the city's dog ordinance now simply repeats the state code. Dogs must be under their owner's control at all times, he said.

 

Youngstown's law 

 

Youngstown's new law went into effect Saturday. The city no longer allows residents to acquire new pit bulls. Those who already own pit bulls are subject to restrictions.

 

The dogs must be muzzled when out in public. They must be kept on no more than 4 feet of leash or contained in a latched enclosure.

 

They have to be registered annually with the county dog warden, and owners must carry a $100,000 liability insurance policy on each dog. Owners must have "Beware of Dog" signs on their homes and on the dog's enclosure. Puppies born to registered pit bulls have to be removed from the city limits immediately. Much of the city's legislation mirrors state laws on the breed.