City pit bull law requires agreement with county

Before approving this law, the city should have discussed it with county officials, the administrator said.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

CITY HALL REPORTER

YOUNGSTOWN — The city’s tougher pit bull terrier law is all bark and no bite — at least for now.

Mahoning County Administrator George Tablack said Wednesday that the city must enter into a written contract for the county dog warden to enforce the new law.

Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams said he hoped that could be done in the next 30 to 45 days. City council approved the legislation Sept. 5 and it took effect Sept. 15. But it’s not being enforced by the dog warden.

Tablack didn’t commit to a timetable, but said he didn’t think it would take long to come to an agreement. County commissioners want to enforce the law.

At Wednesday’s council safety committee meeting, Tablack said the county prosecutor’s office, based on an Ohio Attorney General’s opinion, states a formal contract is needed before the county dog warden can enforce the Youngstown pit bull law. City Law Director Iris Torres Guglucello agrees that a contract is required.

Question of cost

The first step is to determine if the city law would increase the cost of operating the county dog pound, Tablack said.

“I have no preconceived notion of what the cost is,” he said. “It might not add any additional cost.”

City council members said the law shouldn’t add to the cost of running the pound because the city is going to enforce the law based on complaints from residents.

“It will lower the costs at the dog pound because there will be less pit bulls in Youngstown in years to come,” said Councilman Mark Memmer, D-7th.

The city has 211 registered pit bull terriers, said Tablack, who added that the number of unlicensed pit bulls in Youngstown is probably “considerably more.”

A pit bull owner who contested the city law could take the matter to court forcing the dog warden to hold the animals for an average of eight to 10 weeks, Tablack said.

Before approving this law, the city should have discussed it with county officials, Tablack said.

Williams said he’s had problems in the past with how the dog warden’s office handles animal control issues in Youngstown. For example, Williams said there was a house last year with a large number of cats and the dog warden wouldn’t let humane officers handle the situation.

Based on state law

Much of the city’s pit bull law reflects state law, such as keeping the dogs securely confined, having at least $100,000 liability insurance, and registering the dogs with the dog warden. The Youngstown law also bans the future ownership of pit bulls and requires the dogs be on a leash no longer than 4 feet while the state allows pit bulls on leashes no longer than 6 feet.

Council approved the law because of problems with dogfighting and attacks on people by pit bulls, members say. But dog owners have told city officials that they unfairly targeted one type of dog.

There were more than a dozen dog owners, many who have pit bulls, at the meeting, but they were not permitted to speak.

“I’m really frustrated we didn’t get a chance to say anything,” said Teri Kechler of Fifth Avenue, who owns two pit bull mixes. “There’s a lot of responsible dog owners and they’re being bunched with irresponsible owners.”

Kelli Hileman of Austintown, who used to live in Youngstown and plans to move back to the city, owns a pit bull terrier.

She is hopeful city officials will listen to her and other pit bull owners that the new law needs to be modified. City officials have said there is no plan to change it.

skolnick@vindy.com