KC DOG BLOG

Buckner, MO Repeals Pit Bull Ban

A couple of weeks ago, the city council of the city of Buckner, MO (Population 3,072) unanimously voted to repeal the community's 16 year old ban on 'pit bulls'. The change makes Buckner at least the 19th city in Missouri to repeal its breed-specific law.

This isn't first time Buckner has made attempts to repeal. The city also considered repealing the law in 2008 after a member of the community sold her house but the people who bought it found out about the city's ban and backed out of the sale. That vote narrowly failed (4-3). This time around, it was a unanimous decision.

The decision in Buckner is a good one -- as organizations representing experts in the field of animal behavior unanimously oppose breed-specific policies -- which are not based on sound science, or on best knowledge of canine behavior, and are ineffective and inefficient at trying to improve public safety. And because of this, more and more communities, like Buckner, are turning away from breed-specific policies and instead toward breed neutral, behavior-based animal control ordinances.

Congrats to the community of Buckner, MO.

Buckner, MO denies couple from moving to town

Buckner, MO is a small town of about 2700 people - - and has a declining population base. However, even with that, they still won't be welcoming Rhiannon and Casey Embree, and their two pet 'pit bulls' to town.   The Embrees had found a home in Buckner that they had hoped to move to.  However, the small town had passed a ban on pit bulls in 2000 following an incident where a dog bit a tricycle.  The Embrees approached the city council in hopes that they'd remove the ban.

However, last night, the appeal was denied.

Members of Kansas City Dog Advocates and the Missouri Federation of Animal Owners showed up in support of the Embrees,  Casey Martinez of KCDA (who is always excellent in presentations)  provided the council with a lot of background and information on effective animal control ordinances.  The home owner, Cindy Hansen also was in attendence.

"They seem like nice people" said Russ Krohn of MO Fed. "The city just missed an opportunity for some good people in this town."

Two Aldermen, Cathy Litten and Dennis Gilmore voted against the ban, but the other four aldermen voted against a repeal.

Alderman Chet Denton voted against the repeal siting that he'd done research about the breed. I'm dying to know where, as he certainly didn't check with the AVMA, ASPCA, National Animal Control Association, Association of Pet Dog Trainers, or any other organization of experts on canine behavior on what they thought of the legislation he's supporting. 

Meanwhile, Cindy Hansen is left still trying to find someone to buy her home.  Housing sales prices are lower than at any point in the past 6 years in Buckner - -with fewer homes moving. Taking away a potential buyer for Hansen's home certainly is putting her in an economic pickle -- all because of bigotry and a lack of information and willingness to learn.

You're not welcome here

Rhiannon and Casey Embree just want to buy a house.  Seems like a simple thing. The housing market is soft, so it's a great time to buy.

The Embree's found a a home they loved on Sibley Street in Buckner, MO.  However, it turns out that the entire Embree family is not welcome in Buckner because the Embree's own 'pit bulls".

Buckner passed a ban in 2000--  after apparently a 'pit bull' chased a child and attacked his tricycle.  The child was unharmed.  The family was concerned and after some debate, the small town passed a ban on pit bulls.

Instead of sneaking into the community with their dogs, the Embrees approached the city council about repealing their ban for their dogs.  They have said that their dogs are not dangerous. They plan to have a six foot tall privacy fence for their yard and an enclosed kennel.  They say they keep the dogs indoors when they are not at home.  But as for now, the council still seems to be against letting the Embrees, and their dogs, move to Buckner.

Alderman Jimmie Jones said: "There's been too many people come to this board over the years....and I'm not willing to make an exception at this time."

"What do we do with the next couple that comes along?" asked Dennis Gilmore.

The answer is easy.  Repeal the ordinance and let the next people in to. And then if they're a problem, deal with them.

On citizen, Jim Affolter is concerned that dropping the ordinance could send a wrong message to pet owners who own vicious dogs.  Affolter seems to be unaware that people with aggressive dogs still live in Buckner in spite of the ordinance.

Just a year ago, a Dogue Bordeaux dog that was owned by 39 year old Chris Ownbey attacked Steve and Kristi McBee in the street in Buckner. Ownbey was charged for the attack.  The dog had previously attacked 67 year old Joyce Shelley in 2005...but was allowed to remain with the owner.

Buckner is having another city council meeting on Thursday night, September 4. You can show your support for the Embree's at that meeting. It certainly sounds like the

The reality is that Buckner's pit bull ban is doing nothing to protect the citizens of Buckner. All it is doing is keeping people -- people that seem like really nice people like the Embrees -- from being able to move to their town. This doesn't seem like America when people aren't allowed to move to a home that they love. It certainly doesn't feel like America that they are being penalized for a dog attacking a tricycle 8 years ago.  It also is unfair to the current home owner to not be able to sell their property -- which is a tough burden in such a down economy.

Buckner is having another city council meeting to discuss the Embree's on Thursday night, September 4. You can show your support at the meeting that night -- or if you live in Buckner, by contacting your city council members and expressing your opinion on the matter.

"Pit bull" bans do affect dogs....but they often have an even greater affect on people. People who have nothing wrong...and yet are not welcome in many communities.

Best of luck to the Embrees in their quest of buying a new home.