From The Decorah Newspaper:

An ordinance banning pit bulls, except for those currently in town, is being considered by the Castalia City Council.

Monday night, the Council scheduled a public hearing on the ordinance that prohibits the dogs, or regulates the ownership of those dogs located within Castalia before the adoption of the ordinance. The hearing is at 7:30 p.m. during the Council’s Monday, Feb. 2, meeting at City Hall.

There is one known pit bull in Castalia, according to City Clerk Chris Bodensteiner. After it was observed running at large by residents, they expressed their concerns about the dog. The ordinance is modeled after one adopted about a year ago by the city of West Union.

…The proposed ordinance states: “No person shall permit a pit bull dog to go outside its kennel or pen unless such dog is securely leashed with a leash no longer than four feet. No person shall permit a pit bull dog to be kept on a chain, rope or other type of leash outside its kennel or pen unless a person is in physical control of the leash.

“Such dogs may not be leashed to inanimate objects such as trees, posts, buildings, etc. In addition, all pit bull dogs on a leash outside the animal’s kennel must be muzzled by a muzzling device sufficient to prevent such dog from biting persons or other animals.”

The ordinance would require all pit bulls to be “securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or kennel, except when leashed and muzzled.” The kennel must have secure sides and a secure top attached to the sides and must be locked when the animals are within the structure. It It must comply with all zoning and building regulations of the city.

The proposed ordinance also prohibits keeping pit bulls on a porch, patio or in any part of a house or structure that would allow the dog to exit the building on its own volition. Pit bull owners also would be required to place an easily readable sign on their property using the words “Beware of dog,” with another similar sign posted on the kennel of the animal.

…Pit bull owners also would be required under the ordinance to provide the city clerk’s office with proof of public liability insurance in a single incident amount of $500,000 for bodily injury to or death of any person or persons or for damages to property. The policy can’t be cancelled unless 10 days written notice is given to the clerk’s office.

The ordinance specifies reporting requirements for pit bull owners, including the address and number of all pit bulls in the city, the removal or death of a pit bull, the birth of offspring of a pit bull, including the address of the offspring and number of offspring, and the new address of a pit bull owner should the owner move within the city limits.

Read this article in its entirety here.

Please contact the Castalia City Council at the following address and politely inform them that breed-specific legislation is not the solution for a free-roaming dog problem and that a leash/containment law would be much more effective.

Castalia City Hall
1518 Centennial Road
Castalia, Iowa 52161-8004