Garfield Heights Bans Pit Bulls

 

Many cities put restrictions on owners of dogs considered to be pit bulls but Garfield Heights is banning the breed outright. 

A new ordinance takes effect October 24th that calls for pit bulls to be removed from city limits. 

The ban applies to any dogs whose blood line is that of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull or any dog "whose appearance or characteristics render it identifiable as partially of one or more such breeds."
   
Owners who fail to comply face a third degree misdemeanor citation which calls for up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. 

The city also claims the right to have the dog removed to a shelter and if necessary to be destroyed.
   
Garfield Heights Prosecutor Tim Riley says the ban comes after years of complaints about pit bulls running lose and two attacks on residents in the past year. 

Riley says restrictions under a vicious dog ordinance, such as requiring them to be muzzled while leashed in public and for owners to maintain insurance were often ignored by many owners.