As we reported in a prior post, the Greenville Mississippi City Council considered a rushed proposal to ban “pit bulls” on Tuesday, July 23, 2013.   The council ultimately voted to table the “pit bull” ban proposal.   Greenville’s existing breed-specific legislation (BSL), however, remains in place.  

The proposed ban was reportedly met with “stiff resistance,” which means the community is apparently very opposed to any further breed-specific restrictions.   Since it is well known now that Greenville’s existing BSL isn’t working, perhaps now is a perfect time to look into repealing the existing breed-specific ordinance in favor of a more all-encompassing ordinance that treats all irresponsible dog owners the same, regardless of what breed of dog they own.  

Greenville now knows what doesn’t work: BSL.   Perhaps it’s time to look at what has historically worked: A dangerous dog (owner) law that puts the onus squarely on irresponsible dog owners with escalating fines and penalties, as well as adequate Animal Control personnel to enforce it.  

[google-map-v3 width=”350″ height=”350″ zoom=”12″ maptype=”roadmap” mapalign=”center” directionhint=”false” language=”default” poweredby=”false” maptypecontrol=”true” pancontrol=”true” zoomcontrol=”true” scalecontrol=”true” streetviewcontrol=”true” scrollwheelcontrol=”false” draggable=”true” tiltfourtyfive=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkerlist=”Greenville, Mississippi{}4-default.png{}Greenville, Mississippi” bubbleautopan=”true” showbike=”false” showtraffic=”false” showpanoramio=”false”]