Morgan County, UT: County repeals 15-year-old breed ban

Morgan County, UT, had a breed ban in place since 1996. After a resident in the county adopted a mixed-breed dog from a shelter, and was subsequently told by animal control that he had to get rid of the “pit bull” or produce DNA evidence that showed otherwise, the resident took his case to the county council and asked them to repeal the breed ban.

The county council has now decided to repeal the ban, in part citing difficulties with enforcement and breed identification, and acknowledging that the definition of “pit bull” is subjective and vague.

Please thank the county council for doing the right thing!
Contact info for council:
tkelley@morgan-county.net; lnelson@morgan-county.net; hhansen@morgan-county.net; rkippen@morgan-county.net; dmathews@morgan-county.net; rkilmer@morgan-county.net; nmecham@morgan-county.net

Man fights Morgan County rule outlawing pit bulls

By Deanne Winterton
Standard-Examiner correspondent
Sat, 10/08/2011 – 10:43pm

MORGAN — When Morgan resident Braydon Deru got a dog from the Davis Animal Shelter, he didn’t think a Morgan County animal control officer would come knocking on his door, telling him he had to get rid of it.[…]

“Recent legal research says there is no such thing as a recognized pit bull breed,” said County Attorney Jann Farris. “We don’t want to fight it if there’s no such thing as a pit bull. It’s hard to enforce (with) the way ours is written.” […]

Full article retrieved 10/22/11 from http://www.standard.net/stories/2011/10/08/man-fights-morgan-county-rule-outlawing-pit-bulls

Morgan changes rule banning pit bulls

By Deanne Winterton
Standard-Examiner correspondent
Fri, 10/21/2011 – 11:16pm

MORGAN — The Morgan County Council has voted to change breed-specific language in its animal control code.

“It doesn’t take any teeth out of our ordinance for things such as dog bites,” said Morgan County Attorney Jann Farris. “It takes away breed-specific rules we have for pit bulls.” […]

Full article retrieved 10/22/11 from http://www.standard.net/stories/2011/10/21/morgan-changes-rule-banning-pit-bulls