Independence repeals ban on pit bulls, has 60 days to rewrite ‘dangerous dog’ ordinance
Beginning Aug. 4, residents of Independence will again be allowed to own pit bulls, after more than a decade ban on the dog breed.
The Independence City Council on Monday evening voted 5-2 in favor of repealing breed-specific legislation that currently prohibits ownership of pit bulls.
The ban was put into place after a man named Alan Hill was viciously attacked by a pack of pit bulls in 2006 in Independence.
In early May, a petition to repeal the ban or let voters decided at the ballot garnered more than 5,600 signatures, FOX4 reported.
Prior to the change, city code prohibited owning, transporting and selling pit bulls in Independence. Those who didn’t comply could face fines up to $500 and up to 180 days in jail.
Independence Mayor Rory Rowland said the city will spend the next 60 days hammering out plans for enforcement of “dangerous dogs” and “bad dog owners” who he said will suffer steeper consequences than a $500 fine.
“We’re going to come up with some language on what we’ll do in regards to a dangerous dog ordinance that’s more robust, and has, for lack of a better word, more teeth,” Rowland said.
Mike Steinmeyer and Brice Stewart were the only council members to vote no. Both men said they felt the issue should instead go to the ballot.
Stewart called the Monday’s vote one of the most difficult he’s taken “quite simply because I love dogs.”
But Stewart said he was hopeful that the 60 day delay in enacting the change would be enough time to “hopefully get a good, strong, dangerous dog ordinance in effect.”
“We applaud the city council for this decision,” the Kansas City Pet Project posted on Facebook Monday evening, adding that they’re hopeful many of the “cute pit bulls” in their shelter will soon find homes with families in Independence.
Pit bull bans remain in Kearney and Leawood, KCUR reported last month.
