Pit bulls still pose problem in Girard

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A challenge to the city's ban on pit bull dogs will be heard in municipal court.

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

GIRARD — City officials are set to defend the city's ban on pit bull terrier dogs in court, shortly after two children were bitten by one alleged pit bull and a city employee was chased by another.

According to police reports, a 7-year-old girl from Verona Street and an 8-year-old girl from South Davis Street were walking in the 200 block of South Davis on Monday when the dog charged the girls. The dog was chained, but that was not enough to keep it away from the girls.

"The dog is chained, but the chain reaches the sidewalk. So, the kids are walking down the street and the dog comes out and scratches them. It did break the skin, so it is still considered a bite," said Jim Dobson, city health commissioner.

Police reports indicate that one of the girls has scratches below her bottom lip and the other girl has a gash in her left leg.

Police attempted to speak with the dog's owner, but no one was home.

According to Dobson, the owners will now get a letter from the city ordering the dog be quarantined for 10 days, then taken to a veterinarian to make sure all shots are in order — as with any dog bite. The owner will also be notified that the pit bull dog is not welcomed in the city.

Another incident

Another dog owner may be receiving similar correspondence from the city. A large dog, also apparently a pit bull, at a home on Kline Street recently chased the city's zoning inspector in the yard.

The city of Girard has had a ban on pit bull ownership and ownership of any other "vicious" dog for more than a decade.

Dobson said once the dogs' owners are notified of the city's ban, they can either deny that the animal is a pit bull, forcing the city to have a veterinarian determine the dogs' breed. Or, they can object to the city's ban and be summoned into court.

One family with six pit bull dogs that once lived on East Liberty Street did question the legality of the city's ordinance. The family has since left the city, but that case will be heard in Girard Municipal Court on Aug. 9. The hearing will be the first test to the legality of the city's ordinance.

jgoodwin@vindy.com

Thursday, August 2, 2007