Rush Springs' pit bull terrier ban unenforceable

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By Johnny Johnson
Published: April 11, 2008

The city of Rush Springs has an ordinance that essentially bans pit bull terriers and pit bull terrier mixes. However, Police Chief Wayne Munn said the ordinance is unenforceable because state law does not allow such a "breed-specific ban.”

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"We passed an ordinance a couple of years ago, when the state was talking about introducing a bill (to ban them,)” he said. "We had ours ready, in case that bill did go through.”

Because the bill did not pass, Munn said, his hands are tied.

"We have a fairly large number of these dogs in town, and probably the last seven or eight incidences of vicious dogs, involved pit bulls.”

Munn said he wished the state would go through with the measure.

State Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Norman, said he has tried for the last couple of years to pass legislation to curtail the pit bull terrier population.

In 2006, Wesslehoft, attempted to pass a bill that would eventually put an outright ban on the animals.

"But the pit bull breeders inundated my colleagues with e- mails,” he said.

"These came from all over the U.S. and my colleagues were not willing to hear the bill.”

Not strong enough
The bill that did pass, according to Wesslehoft, is a "very strong dog ordinance” that basically said in a second attack, the owner of a dog can be held responsible for the animal's actions and could have to pay a fine of up to $5,000 and possibly face some jail time.

But Wesslehoft said he didn't think that bill was strong enough.

"So what we tried to do this year was pass a bill that was not breed specific,” he said.

The new bill was modeled after a Texas law that makes a first serious dog bite a felony.

"Under our current law, the first bite is free,” he explained. "I think there's something wrong with that.”


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The problem with a lot of owners of aggressive dogs is that their dogs are just fine with their family. What they either don't recognize, or ignore, is that "friendly" dog is dangerous to people with whom that dog has no interaction. An aggressive dog inflicted a 14-stitch bite on my son while he and I were simply riding bicycles down the street. Did the owner pay the $200 it took to stitch him up? Oh no...bite wasn't "that bad" and the dog was "simply excited" while playing in its front yard with the owners children. So I paid $200 for the big crime of enjoying a bike ride with my son on a nice day. Previous to that, I had to beat a pit bull off of a neighborhood girl because the owner lived in an apartment with a deteriorating fence. My point in sharing these personal examples is that your dogs behavior with you is not indicative of what your dog will do if it gets out. Training and care really matter little when an aggressive breed of dog feels like its territory is being infringed...even if you are simply proceeding down a public street. I am all in favor of banning Pit Bulls, and stiffer penalties for even first time infractions. If nothing else, show that you care for everyone if you own a breed of dog in question...only keep one if you have a very strong fence and by all means don't let it wander your front yard even for a minute.
Ken, Kingfisher - Apr 16, 2008 8:35 AM
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I strongly believe that an animal's temperament is a direct result in how it is raised. Yes some dogs are more aggressive by nature but with proper training and care these types of breeds can be loving family pets. I have been around several pit bulls that are the biggest babies but they had been treated with love and cared for properly since they were puppies. So I think it's sad that certain breeds of dogs get labeled as dangerous when the fault lies with the owner who probably isn’t responsible enough to have any animals let alone one that might require a little extra attention and care.
KJ, Stillwater - Apr 11, 2008 4:12 PM
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Well the dog wouldn't get a second chance to bite if one ever bit one of my kids or myself. I would send it to doggie heaven. If there's a will there's a way and I stand by that saying. Everything is possible if you keep your mouth shut about it. Just the shoot the damn dogs when they are in your yard. Posing a threat is all you have to say that's why you sent it to doggie heaven.
glenda, oklahoma city - Apr 11, 2008 10:23 AM
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