Rushville, NE has been having problems with stray dogs. Rather than address their stated problem of stray dogs directly through leash laws and enforcement, and even though “pit bulls” aren’t the ones doing the biting (according to the article below, only one out of ten total dog bites was attributed to a “pit bull” in 2009—yet the council cites “a rash of attacks”…?) the council decided that the solution was a “pit bull” ban. Council members cite the myth that “when a pit bull bites, it does more damage.”
The council claims that the ordinance only affects six families in the city, making it even more senseless, because not only does the ordinance not stop the larger problem of irresponsible dog owners, but the council has also taken advantage of the fact that almost no one in town is going to protest the discriminatory ordinance because it really doesn’t affect them.
The mayor says they’ll listen if people want to talk about the issue. Please send respectful, informative correspondence and reasonable breed-neutral alternatives to city officials and encourage them to repeal their senseless and discriminatory breed ban.
City of Rushville, Rushville, Neb. 69360
Phone: (308) 327-2221
Fax: (308) 327-2399
rushcity@gpcom.net
Town OKs ban on new pit bulls
By Roger Holsinger
WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE
Published Wednesday December 7, 2011RUSHVILLE, Neb. — If you own a breed of pit bull and want to move to this northern Panhandle community, your dog won’t be welcome. Citing a rash of attacks, City Council members voted unanimously to prohibit pit bulls inside the city limits.[…]
The ordinance, which goes into effect in January, defines pit bulls as several varieties of bull terrier: the Staffordshire bull terrier, American “pit bull” and the American Staffordshire terrier.[…]
Mayor Chris Heiser said some of the problems that prompted the ordinance originated with stray dogs that enter the city from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Although other breeds cause problems, pit bull attacks are often more dangerous, he said.
“In 2009 we had 10 dog bites, and of those only one was from a pit bull,” Heiser said. But he added that, due to the strength of their jaws, a pit bull attack can cause much more harm that a bite from a chihuahua.
“We have talked about (making an ordinance) before, and we currently have a vicious dog ordinance. We’re just trying to catch up with the times,” he said.
Heiser said that during the council meeting a few people opposed the change. He estimated the new ordinance would affect approximately six families.
“We are not making them get rid of their dogs, but we have a problem here with dogs not being licensed and people not keeping their dogs in their yards,” he said. “If people want to talk about this issue more, we’ll listen, but we felt this issue needed to be addressed.” […]
Full article retrieved 12/7/11 from http://www.omaha.com/article/20111207/NEWS01/712079875/-1
Fred M. Kray
krisdiaz9
Stop BSL 
Fairy tales are for people. But how to fairy tales are used as arguments, it is very bad.
I have a pit that my two year old son can lay on and pull on my pit lays there i refuse to give up my dog 4 any reason
10 dog-bites in 2009 and 1 attributed to a Pit WOW,you have a Pandemic,have you County Commissioners nothing to do.
How many get killed per annum in this huge City?????