Unanimous Vote
Troy, MO - In a unanimous vote, Troy Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance prohibiting new pit bulls within the city. This followed several complaints of these dogs running loose and a fatal attack on a pet dog by two pit bulls. Troy now joins at least 15 other Missouri cities that regulate pit bulls, and appears to have done so prior to an attack that resulted in severe human injury. Thumbs up to Troy policymakers, who also did not mince words in their ordinance.
"The board of aldermen 'finds that pit bull dogs are dangerous and potentially hazardous to the community because the breed possesses characteristics of aggression, strength, gameness, viciousness, predaceousness, unpredictability and savageness not possessed by other breeds of dog.'
The ordinance further defines the "pit bull dog" the Staffordshire bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier breed and any mixed breed of dog which contains an element of these breeds.
Current owners of these breeds residing in Troy may be kept but must registered with the city within 60 days and outline specific measures of how the dogs must be leashed, housed and muzzled when they are outside the animal's enclosure or pen. All structures erected to house pit bull dogs must comply with Section 205.060 of the city code. Within 60 days, owners must display in a prominent place on their premises a sign using the words "Beware of Dog-Pit Bull" and a similar sign on their pen of the animal. Proof of public liability insurance in the amount of $100,000 for bodily injury or death also must be presented to the city. Owners must also provide city with photos of the dog and must microchip the animal prior to registration. Any offspring of registered dogs must be removed from the city within eight weeks of the birth of such animal.
Penalties for violation would be not less than $200 and no more than $1,000 and/or 30-day jail sentence."
Related articles:
06/22/09: Fayette, Alabama Passes Pit Bull Ban in City Limits
03/18/09: Ridgeland, Mississippi Passes Pit Bull and Wolf-Hybrid Ban
03/06/09: Two New Cities Ban Pit Bulls: Pilot Grove, Missouri and Gallipolis, Ohio
02/25/09: Logan, Iowa Pit Bull Ban Passes with Ease
Now that's what I call leadership! Inspite of the rhetoric and bombardment of emails, faxes, phone calls and letters, the city council stepped up for the public good.
Well done.
Well done, Troy! Had I known, I would have swung by for some hand shaking and saved my turn south to Chesterfield for another day. Awesome! Sincerest thanks now and going forward.
"Mizzzzzou-rah!"
Troy leaders should stand tall, but also be aware that they will be threatened and insulted by legions of criminal breeders and dog fighters. It doesn't matter. These creeps will eventually move on to harass someone else, and Troy citizens can live safer.
It sounds like these city councils have gotten savvy about exactly who is opposing regulation and bullying them.
Unlike this city council http://www.basehorinfo.com/news/2009/jun/17/ordinance-dog-house-canine-owners/ who is getting bullied by the breeders.
Troy joins the ranks of cities that will now be safer from devastating dog attacks. I look forward to the day that every state in the US follows suit and this travesty of a group of breeds goes the way of the dodo.
Don't miss the great comments by Police Chief Jeff Taylor:
“We’ve had severe problems with pit bulls,” said Police Chief Jeff Taylor. “It’s something we deal with all the time, and it’s getting old. It’s a mess.”
http://www.hannibal.net/news_local/x998785327/Troy-enacts-ban-on-pit-bulls