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DYER - If you don't already own a pit bull here, you can never get
one. At least, as long as you live here.
The Dyer Mayor and Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance
in late September banning the ownership of pit bulls
and other vicious dogs within the city's limits. Those who already
own such breeds can keep them.
There's also a new ordinance capping the number of dogs
and cats residents can own.
"The mere possession of pit bulls posses a
significant threat to the health, welfare and safety
of Dyer's citizens," the ordinance says. "...
Current methods of control by pit bull owners in the
city have proven to be insufficient in protecting
the public."
The ordinance says other cities have found
the dogs to be dangerous and have enacted
legislation restricting and prohibiting
their ownership.
Mayor Scott Jewel could not be
reached Sunday evening for comment.
"I don't think they should"
ban them, resident Frank
Halford said Saturday.
His 11-year-old son got
an American pit bull as
a gift when he was 9.
The dog was "laid back,
gentle," and they never
had any problems with
it, Halford said.
"I thought I'd
heard they were
good with kids,
very protective
of them," he
added.
Halford
said he
doesn't
see pit
bulls or
vicious
dogs
running
loose in
town. He
usually
sees
people
walking
them on
a leash.
Minister Jesse Austin of Dyer agreed with the ban. He has a 6-month-old black Labrador retriever.
"I think that's a wise idea because those dogs were beginning to attack people a lot," Austin said of pit bulls. "I think they ought to be banned."
Those who already own the dogs must buy an annual permit for $30 to continue to keep them in the city, the ordinance says. Owners must appear in person at the Dyer City Recorder's office when making an application for a permit.
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