One Ohio City Is Standing Up To Its Pit Bull Ban

Pit bull bans, though seemingly on the decline in some areas, have not completely receded from existence. The Inquisitr reported on the decline of the bans throughout the country in September. This seems to have embolden some to stand up to the pit bull ban in their locale. 10tv reports that in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, pit bull owners are cited for having the animal, whether it is or is not a pit bull.

The Gravens family received a citation for their pit bull this past summer, except the Gravens family does not actually own a pit bull. The family had said all along that their “boxer mix” was not a pit bull, but that did not seem to stop the city from citing them for Laila, 10tv reports.

Fortunately, this past week the family managed to have a Licking county judge rescind the order against them.

“We’re very happy. It would be very emotional to have to get rid of (Laila). I’d hate to think we’d have to have her put down because she’s not a vicious dog.”

In August, another Licking county judge found Nevaeh the pit bull “not guilty” of being a “vicious dog” for the second time. Stephanie Mather, one of the pit bull’s owners, expressed her opinion on the ongoing struggle to retain her pit bull Nevaeh.

“This is getting ridiculous.”

Nevaeh, the actual pit bull, and its parents have also had their run in with the pit bull ban… two times. In the last instance, the judge left the door open for a third. Mather’s fiance Chris Fizer reacted to the possibility of a third prosecution by saying “Bring it on,” as he displayed Nevaeh playing with two chihuahua puppies.

Despite the fact that the Ohio city’s pit bull ban was reaffirmed in July because “the majority of the community wanted it,” as one council member stated, it seems to still be rubbing city resident’s the wrong way. Anonymous callers have tipped off police to at least 19 cases where residents were cited for “harboring” pit bulls. A “convicted” owner could be hit with a first degree misdemeanor and 180 days in jail.

A group called Pit bulls for Reynoldsburg has been assisting residents with pit bulls in finding legal assistance for their cases. A representative for the group explained to 10tv their mission.

“We continue to review citations as they come in, meet with the people that have been cited to give them any legal advice that we can if we think we can help them if they’re interested.”

She stated they have won two cases thus far. Another local lawyer has also been aiding local pit bull owners fight the ban. Nortman has said she is “in it now,” and has gone as far as preparing her clients for search warrants that the police might resort to in seeking out the offending pit bulls.

Another local resident going by the named “Russ” moved from New York to Reynoldsburg with her son’s rescue pit bull, and was greeted by the police in the first few days. She has lived in Reynoldsburg for some time but has yet to permanently settle in, due to the run-ins with the local pit bull ban. She has stated she is ready to move in May if things do not change.

“I don’t want to live in a place like that. We’re not going to give up our dog.”

Despite these pit bull bans seemingly losing their worth, and appearing to some as archaic and unnecessary, others are still struggling under the weight of their scope and reach.

What your thoughts? Should pit bull bans be rescinded? Should pit bulls be outlawed all together?

Leave your thoughts and comments below.

[Image Via Wikimedia Commons ]