ALERT: Lonoke, Arkansas

[Baxter's Mom]

Lonoke Closer to Pit Bull Ban
Last Update: Mar 13, 2007 9:05 AM
Posted By: David Goins


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A vicious breed of dog is on the way out in Lonoke. Pit bull attacks are well chronicled throughout the country. Lonoke looks to add its name to a growing list of towns saying no to pit bulls inside city limits. However, owners won't give up their dogs without a fight.

It's a fight they'll have to win at city hall. But legislation is already in place that would ban pit bulls and strengthen the law against any vicious dog breed.

Scotty Jackson has two pit bulls, Bubba and Sadie. Until recently he has kept them at his Lonoke home without incident.

"My kids play with these dogs,” Jackson says. “These pit bulls are not mean."

Tthe city is taking proactive steps to ban the breed within city limits. At the city council meeting Monday evening, legislation was introduced that would require all dogs to be kept in fenced in areas and allow for more breeds to be added to the list of vicious dogs. It specifically stipulated for the ban of pit bulls within city limits.

Other cities in the area, like Maumelle and North Little Rock, have already invoked breed specific bans.

"It's because no one is standing up for their dogs,” Jackson says. “If we get a bunch of people standing up for these dogs, they won't ban them."

Jackson is trying to raise awareness. He says the sign in his front yard points out that pit bulls, in his mind, are being unfairly targeted. It reads, “the city allows sex offenders, but it won’t allow pit bulls.”

Damien Whitehead, a pit bull owner, saw the sign and then stopped at Jackson’s home to add his name to a growing petition list.

"The dogs aren't bothering anybody,” Whitehead says. “Everybody likes them, they're just pets of the family and they’re not harming anything. I have dogs too and I want to keep mine."

Pit bull supporters in Lonoke are running out of time to change minds about their dogs. Jackson insists dogs only attack if they’re bred to do so.

"Its not the dog's fault, it's the owner,” Jackson says. “If you're going to punish somebody, don't punish the dog, punish the owner. Fine them, take their dogs away, don't take our dogs."

Before this evening Mayor Wayne McGee said his office had only received three or four complaints about the ordinance. The council took no action Monday, but will be ready to
vote at the meeting in April.

Lonoke Closer to Pit Bull Ban - FOX16.com


City Administration
(501) 676-4300

City Officials

Mayor Wayne McGhee
Treasurer Walls McCrary
City Clerk Billie Uzzell
Deputy City Clerk Gwen Pauschert
City Attorney Randy Grice
District Judge Barbara Elmore

Alderman
District Name Address Telephone
1 Janie Deering 101 England
2 Woody Evans 109 Honeysuckle Lane
3 Pat Howell 305 East 3rd 676-6003
4 Wendell Walker 206 Branch
5 Efrem Jones 412 Reynolds 676-6182
6 Raymond Hatton 106 Vasser Lane 676-3281
7 Michael Florence 221 West Holly 676-2057
8 Phillip Howell 13 Sunset Loop 676-7842


Untitled Document

Info provided by Jodi Preis at Bless the Bullies