Mississippi city's pit bull ban "discrimination" [View All]

[Maddy McCall]

By Sylvain Metz
[e-mail]


Establishing strict laws governing dogs is one thing. But banning a specific breed is another, said Richland resident Chris Pena, president of the Magnolia Canine Club.

Pena is a pit bull owner who objects to a new city ordinance that will make it illegal to house a pit bull in the Rankin County city. So he and his wife, Kristi, are taking their protest to the street, soliciting signatures for a petition that asks the Board of Aldermen to reconsider its actions.

The ordinance, which goes into effect June 1, is expected to affect about a dozen dog owners who have 15-18 pit bulls, Police Chief Russell James said. A police officer getting bitten a year and a half ago prompted the city to take a look at pit bulls and other vicious dogs.

The Penas, who also represent the local chapter of the Endangered Breed Association, say they have about 200 signatures from local residents. "We ought to make all dog owners responsible," Chris Pena said. "We are against breed-specific legislation. When you single out a breed, that's discrimination in its purest form."

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