Pit bull discussion draws low turnout in Lyons
By Clara Kilbourn
The Hutchinson News
ckilbourn@hutchnews.com
LYONS - The pit bull debate seemed to lose a bit of its bite Tuesday in this county seat town of 3,500 residents.
A public forum called to enlist comments on the issue of banning pit bulls and other specific dog breeds attracted five speakers out of the 20 people attending.
City Councilman Joseph Cedeno, who has served as the ad hoc member of a six-person working group appointed to review the pit bull question, expected a much larger crowd, he said.
"We had even talked about how many might show up and having to meet in a larger room," he said. "I thought there would be more. This is really odd."
Luanne Bornholdt, a member of the working group, served as a presenter and outlined a list of recommendations the group will present to the City Council at the March 5 meeting:
• A maximum of five dogs/cats in a residence.
• Leash length restricted to six feet.
•Violations of the animal ordinance by an owner will no longer be expunged at the end of 12 months.
•A $25 fine will be levied for a loose dog and the fine will increase with additional infractions.
•A $30 fine will be levied for failing to register a dog.
•The city will increase the number of animal control officers.
•A grandfather clause will exempt present owners from the maximum number of animals allowed.
The working group remained split three to three on whether pit bulls and other vicious dogs will be allowed in the city.
Three members of the working group will recommend to the council that pit bulls be banned. The three members against a ban requested that the city provide information to residents about responsible dog ownership.
In a show of hands, the working group agreed the recommendations presented at the forum will be presented at the 6 p.m. March 5 city council meeting.
Cedeno was unsure whether the council would take action on the report at that time.