For the first time in more than 40 years,...
Read More
Repeal of Pit Bull Ban Is Delayed
By Bob Lindsey
The Florissant City Council on Tuesday night delayed a final vote on two bills that would repeal the 11-year law against residents owning Pit Bulls and other dogs deemed dangerous in the city.
Councilman Tim Lee asked for delay on the vote until April 24 because he had received a “comprehensive” substitute bill on the ban. Lee said he and some council members would need more time to study the proposed bill changes. He called for council work session on the amendments. A move led by Councilman Tim Jones and Jeff Caputa for a vote on the bills that night was rejected in a voice vote. Both had indicated that this has been discussed for a year and it was time to vote without any more delays
Then it was suggested that perhaps a two week delay until the next council meeting on March 13 could give the council members enough time to go over the changes and have a work session. Lee changed his request to allow for a March 13 vote, and it was approved by council members.
The ban brought opponents to several council meetings requesting that the city reconsider it and any breed specific legislation. About 70 people were on hand, most with a group supporting repealing the Pit Bull ban and some spoke on the issue.
Hundreds of letter and emails were sent to the city over the last year seeking the repealing of the ban.
Two bills that affected the ban were first introduced by Council President Jackie Pagano and Councilman Caputa at the meeting two weeks ago. The first bill deletes the section of city code titled Regulation of Pit Bulls. The second amends the section on dangerous dogs although Pit Bulls could still be classified at dangerous dogs if they were involved in any violent situations.
