From the Grant County Press:

“Public outcry over the recent misbehavior of several dogs around town has resulted in a proposed change in Petersburg’s “leash law” ordinance.

The change gives the city the right to seek maximum penalties against owners of certain breeds for first offense violations.

The proposal includes a list of specific breeds considered by many municipalities and insurance companies to be vicious and dangerous animals.

Breeds on the list are rottweiler, Doberman, Stafford bull terrier, pit bull, German shepherd, chow (chow chow), Akita and Presa Canarious (Canary Dog).

The revised ordinance states: ‘Persons owning, possessing, harboring or having the care, charge or custody of these identified breeds or any mix thereof and that dog having been satisfactorily proved before the city judge to be vicious, dangerous or in the habit of biting or attacking other persons or pets/animals whether or not such dog wears a tag or muzzle, the city judge shall exercise the maximum punishment and fines allowed in this code. The city judge may authorize the humane officer to cause such dog to be killed’.”

Read this article in its entirety here.

Please contact the Petersburg Mayor and City Council at the following address and inform them that breed-specific legislation in any form is unenforceable and ineffective:

City of Petersburg
21 Mount View Street
Petersburg, WV 26847