DILLON — Dillon City Council approved an ordinance Monday night that defines the pit bull as a dangerous animal and gives pit bull owners stricter guidelines.
According to the ordinance, which was approved unanimously, those who own pit bulls, American Staffordshire terriers or dogs that look like bull terriers must register the dogs with the Dillon Police Department. They also must keep the dogs within a fenced area.
If the dog is walked within the city limits, it must be on a four- to five-foot leash.
Those who violate the ordinance could face fines, a misdemeanor criminal charge and/or could have their pet euthanized.
Dillon City Councilman Randolph Gurley, who spearheaded the ordinance, said these dog breeds are just too dangerous.
“I’ve seen too many people breeding these dogs and for many people walking these dogs and too many incidents that’s happening with these dogs,” he said.
Gurley said the ordinance passed Monday night is a revised version of a previous ordinance to ban pit pulls from the city limits that was met with controversy.
But Dillon resident Jodi Hardwick said her experience is that these dogs have an undeserved bad reputation. She and her family have a pit bull named Bootsie May.
“She’ll lick them, play with them. She’s wonderful with the children. She sleeps with them at night,” she said. “This is not the type of dog that I would ever thought I would have had around my children, but once we got her my view on them has completely changed.”
Hardwick said people are too quick to judge these dogs.
“They’re not all mean dogs if you get a good one,” she said.
Gurley said he doesn’t believe that.
“We’re not talking about how nice the dog could be or what kind of good animal he is. These dogs will turn on you,” he said.
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