This afternoon, the City Council in Toledo voted in favor of a new dangerous dog ordinance. The ordinance, which now defines a viction dog based on its behavior, not it's 'breed', will replace the long-time breed-specific ordinance in the city.
The law also contains harsher fines for dog bites and restrictions on how long a dog can be chained up in the community. The law also requires dogs to be altered at the owner's expense and give animal control the ability to seize dogs if the owners are deemed reckless (I do not know how that is defined).
The change in the ordinance comes after many months of discussions following a court ruling in January that the Toledo city law was unconstitutional, and following the 'resignation' of long-time Lucas County Dog Warden Tom Skeldon amid a flurry of controversy last fall.
Things are not 100% free and clear in Toledo, as residents still fall under the state law that deems 'pit bulls' as vicious -- however, that law is also up for debate when the state Senate session begins again next month (a bill removing breed specific legislation from the state law passed in the House of Representatives last Spring).
The admitted failings of Toledo's old law, the forced resignation of the dog warden who supported it, the lawsuits and the court rulings againt the law became too much and the law has finally been repealed.
It's another victory for truth and fairness in our nation's dog laws.
More to come.
What a great, great day for Ohio. Sending a huge thank you to Jean Keating and all of those involved with this effort.
Posted by: Lisa in OH | October 13, 2010 at 06:43 AM
Ill bring my pitbull to Toledo and show them how harmless she is.. The biggest loving animal that loves to be petted by everyone.
Posted by: jmw | October 13, 2010 at 02:49 PM
Also, the Lucas County Dog Warden's office is now sending out application forms to reputable rescues to become a rescue partner. Imagine that, they are actually actively seeking out rescues to work with to help place pit bull and non pits in responsible, reputable rescues
Posted by: Lisa in OH | October 13, 2010 at 03:53 PM
Good for Jean Keating and all the other residents who worked so hard in Toledo and Ohio in general.
I still don't understand what altering dogs has to do with the biting situation, but whatever. this is an improvement.
Posted by: kmk | October 18, 2010 at 07:25 AM
is there a law on how many pitbulls we can own?
Posted by: Stephanie Carter | December 07, 2011 at 08:41 PM
I am not 100% certain, but if you're in Ohio, I think the state law # is currently 1
Posted by: Brent | December 07, 2011 at 10:20 PM