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.
Recent Comments