City council OKs restrictions on pit bull terriers

New pit bull terriers will be banned in the city
beginning Sept. 15.

THE VINDICATOR

By DAVID SKOLNICK

CITY HALL REPORTER

YOUNGSTOWN — A new law approved by city council means Terri Kechler and others who own pit bull terriers will have to muzzle their dogs and keep them on a leash no longer than 4 feet to take them outside.

“I’m going to have to do all that just to take them to the bathroom,” said Kechler, a North Side resident, who owns two pit bull mixed breeds.

Kechler objects to the legislation unanimously approved Wednesday by city council that puts restrictions on pit bull terriers and bans the future ownership of the dog or any mixed breed that has the appearance and characters of a pit bull, effective Sept. 15.

That also includes the puppies of properly licensed pit bull terriers living in the city.

“There are good dogs and bad dogs,” she said. “It has nothing to do with the breed.”

But city council members disagree.

They say there is an escalating problem in the city involving pit bulls, including dogfighting contests and attacks toward people and other pets.

“It’s important to have this legislation,” said Councilwoman Carol Rimedio-Righetti, D-4th. “We need to have something enforceable so the citizens of our city are safe.”

Those found guilty of violating the ordinance could serve jail sentences of up to six months and a fine of up to $1,000.

About a dozen people attended the council meeting in opposition to the legislation.

Among them was Fran Horvath, a South Side resident who owns two Weimaraners. Her dogs aren’t affected by the pit bull ordinance, but she objects to the new law.

“We shouldn’t have a law specific to breeds,” she said. “I’m against them doing a pit bull ban. I have shepherds who attack my dog and run loose, and nothing is done to stop them.”

Other action

Also at the meeting, council agreed to put a charter amendment on the Nov. 6 ballot to place the city’s park and recreation commission under the control of the city administration.

The commission members object to the charter amendment proposal.

The proposed changes would require commission contracts and purchases to be approved by city council and the board of control and make the mayor, and not the commission, the appointing authority for all permanent park and recreation employees.

Council also voted in favor of a resolution to permit the administration to take legal action, if needed, to acquire a West Rayen Avenue building as part of a plan to link downtown to Youngstown State University.

The city offered $205,000 to Joseph Grenga, who owns the Grenga Machine & Welding Co. building at 128 W. Rayen Ave., for the structure. But Grenga, who bought the building for $95,800 in October 2001, is refusing to sell. The matter appears to be heading for court.

Council also authorized the administration to borrow money for one year to pay the interest it owes on the $11.9 million it spent to fund its portion of the Chevrolet Centre construction.

The city needs to borrow an amount in the low $800,000 range to cover the interest, city Finance Director David Bozanich recently said.

skolnick@vindy.com