PETS New Castle to consider tougher pit bull ordinance

Before passing the ordinance, city council would have to repeal another one.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- City council will discuss an ordinance tonight that could put tighter reigns on owners of pit bulls.
City solicitor Paula Cialella has told council she does not believe the breed can be outlawed entirely, and further, trying to do so could be viewed as a violation of the owners' constitutional rights.
But council can enact an ordinance requiring special permits for those breeds of dogs and permit fees.
Cialella presented a draft of the ordinance to council earlier this month.
Council members, at their work session Tuesday, said they will discuss the proposed measure at council's public meeting at 7:30 tonight at city hall.
Last year, concerned about the number of pit bulls in the city, council asked Cialella to review the city's animal ordinances.
Cialella said the city's two ordinances that involve animals would need to be revised to address the city's concerns with pit bulls.
She said council needs to vote to repeal one ordinance and incorporate dogs, cats and other animals into the second one.
Cialella's proposed ordinance addresses pit bulls, American pit bulls and Staffordshire terriers.