Council to debate ban on pit bulls

City officials would rely on
residents to report violations.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

CITY HALL REPORTER

YOUNGSTOWN — City council will consider legislation Sept. 5 that would ban the future ownership of pit bull terriers and put restrictions in place for current owners of the dogs.

City council’s finance committee recommended legislation Tuesday for the full council to adopt.

Councilman Mark Memmer, the legislative body’s finance committee chairman, said he’s sponsoring the bill because violence involving pit bulls in the city is out of control.

Girard has had a similar ban in place for more than a decade. Warren’s council passed a vicious-dog ordinance last year. That law includes pit bulls.

The city is having problems with dogfighting contests, attacks and threats by the animals toward people and other pets, and the use of them as intimidators by those committing illegal activities, he said.

If the proposal is approved by council Sept. 5, it would mean that no new pit bulls could live in the city limits effective Sept. 15.

“There are exemptions for those who responsibly own a pit bull in Youngstown,” said Memmer, D-7th.

Punishment

If the proposal is signed into law, those found guilty of violating the ordinance could serve jail sentences of up to six months and face a fine of up to $1,000.

City officials would rely on neighbors of those who own pit bulls to report violations to the police, Memmer said.

The proposal describes pit bull terriers as “any dog belonging to the breed Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier, or any dog that is commonly known as a pit bull or pit bull terrier, or any mixed breed of dog which has the appearance and characteristics belonging to such breed.”

Memmer expects to hear objections from pit bull owners. “But drastic situations call for drastic measures and drastic reactions,” he said.

The councilman contends there are high-stakes pit bull fights in the city, particularly on the South Side, as well as drug dealers using the animals to keep away their competition and police officers.

Not only would new pit bulls be banned from the city after Sept. 15 under this proposal, but puppies born to properly registered pit bulls in Youngstown would have to leave the city limits no later than 10 weeks after birth.

Council canceled its meeting scheduled for today because not enough members could attend it for any action to be approved by emergency measure. The meeting is rescheduled for Sept. 5.

Other proposed legislation that will have to wait until that meeting include:

UHaving council approve a charter amendment for the November general election to place the city’s park and recreation commission under the control of the city administration.

UPermitting the city to borrow money for one year to pay only the interest on the $11.9 million it spent to fund its portion of the Chevrolet Centre.

The finance committee honored Mayor Jay Williams’ request to delay a vote on creating the position of human resources director and transferring six civil service commission jobs to the law department. Williams wants to discuss the issue further with the commission’s members.

skolnick@vindy.com