Certain Dogs Banned in Leola

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Sioux Falls authorities investigating another apparent dog bit.

By Associated Press

Story Created: May 26, 2008 at 10:23 AM CDT

Story Updated: May 26, 2008 at 10:30 AM CDT

Leola voters have approved the city council's decision making it illegal to possess Pit bulls, Bull mastiffs, Rottweilers, Doberman pinchers and German shepherds.  The vote this past week was 103-27 to endorse the council's action.  Not only is it illegal to possess the breeds, it's now also illegal to have crossbreeds of them.

The new city ordinance also limits to two the number of any breed of dogs anyone can possess.  It has an exception for people who raise and sell dogs. Also, the banned breeds are allowed if they help or are being trained to help people with disabilities.

Mayor Dean Schock says the ordinance was passed due to concerns from people who walk and bike or whose children bike around town.

 

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Thursday, Oct 2 at 9:28 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I am a responsible pit owner and find it degrading to the breed that people would blame the breed rather than the owner. Rather than banning the pit, I would like to see more accountability on the owner. Historically, the breed is the most dedicated animal and was the highest percentage of family pet in the 40's. Since pits have become more common in homes again, it results in a higher percentage of "attacks", just as was the case in the 80's with German Shephards. Pits were bred to catch sma

Thursday, May 29 at 5:46 PM Vermillion Dog Owner wrote ...

WOW!! I am in shock that a City Council could actually enforce such a ruling. Leola needs some education in animal control and ethical policy practices. I am embarrassed for the citizens of this town and ashamed of the City Council leadership. Leola is the laughing stock of South Dakota and is certainly not a progressive thriving community. My heart goes out to all of the innocent dogs who will be removed from their homes. I sure hope these crazy people will work with South Dakota rescue.

Thursday, May 29 at 10:43 AM Oregon dog lover wrote ...

Only 130 voters? What kind of town is this? Banning dog breeds for the safety of walkers and bikers?? Way more bikers have been injured or killed in Oregon by motorists than by dogs. If this is their justification, they should ban all motor vehicles too. Banning is easy. Intelligent alternatives take time and effort. Why not offer a test that the dogs can take and issue "good citizen" certificates? Oh wait, they hate certain breeds. You people should be ashamed. You've started a dog KKK.

Tuesday, May 27 at 9:35 PM lets_get_real wrote ...

I dont like cat droppings in my yard so does that mean all of us who dislike cat droppings in our yard should get together and ban cats, this should be on our next council meeting.

Tuesday, May 27 at 9:17 PM concerned_about_freedom wrote ...

Just because the majority of people dont want these dogs around doesnt give them the right to ban these dogs who are family pets. Everyone who doesnt own a poodle can get together and ban them they may not have attacked anyone but have all these dogs who are being taken away attacked someone or are they just family pets? America is supposed to have rights, where are they?

Tuesday, May 27 at 6:00 PM America??? wrote ...

I thought we were in America ppl. Where did our freedom and our choices go? If their telling us which breed of dog we can posess whats next?

Tuesday, May 27 at 3:24 PM Rot_Nut wrote ...

As a rott owner/breeder I agree, It is entirely up to the owner. If the owner takes the time to train the dog and properly socialize them there wouldn’t be this problem. Come on people take responsibility for your own actions and let’s not blame a select group of animals. I thought we were past segregation.

Tuesday, May 27 at 1:15 PM Smart Dog Owner wrote ...

Wow-this is the smartest move I have seen in a while. Not all owners are responsible and it is irresponsible for someone to say that bad owners should be banned. That is like saying that nothing should be done until someone is injured! It is a fact that these breeds are stronger and bred to be more vicious than other breeds-maybe you need to be more informed. Not all of these dogs are vicious but I would not be willing to let my child be the one to find out!

Tuesday, May 27 at 12:15 PM Jessi wrote ...

This is ridiculous...it's "NOT" the dog it's the owner...lots of people that get the mentioned breeds make them mean. There should be a ban on people that ignorant. I own a 13 yr. old rottie and he has never hurt anyone or tried to. All animals (and humans) can be unpredictable and mean if taught to be or treated poorly... people need to get real and pull their heads out of their a___!!

Tuesday, May 27 at 11:18 AM Rotowner wrote ...

My Rot is probably one of the smartest animals I have ever met. He plays with anyone and everyone. To reject a whole breed because of one or two is insane. All breeds have had their good and bad dogs. Think again Leola. In the meantime, I'm not visiting Leola or anywhere that has their dog values.

Tuesday, May 27 at 8:40 AM pitbull4me wrote ...

AN APOLOGY TO BREED BAN ENTHUSIASTS I'm sorry you are frightened of my dogs and are trying to have them killed because they are pitbulls. I'm sorry you lack the understanding of this breed's true history, gentleness with people, wonderful temperament, intelligence and behavioral conformation. I'm sorry you won't read the ATTS stats regarding our breed's true temperament, putting it in the top four for temperament, scoring better than breeds like Golden Retrievers, and cocker sp

Tuesday, May 27 at 5:37 AM know the facts wrote ...

The most unpredicatable and potentially dangerous dog breeds are Dalmation, Springer Spaniel, and St Bernard. All dogs can be dangerous. Irresponsible breeders and owners are the problems, not the dog's. Get rid of problem dogs. Don't wipe out entire breeds based on prejudice.

Monday, May 26 at 10:33 PM pbowner wrote ...

It just floors me that some people can be so completely ignorant. If someone would have told this 50 year old woman she would be a pit bull owner four years ago I would have said they were crazy. My love for this dog is so strong that if someone told me I'd half to give him up I would move. I have never had a dog so loving or so well mannered, and with such a sense of humor. To punish an entire breed just doesn't make sense to me. Leola, shame on you!

Monday, May 26 at 9:26 PM littledogmom wrote ...

many places here, sissenton, chamberlain, spencer, parts of turner county...... list goes on

Monday, May 26 at 9:17 PM RottOwner wrote ...

i am glad to see others with my point of view...banning these dogs doesnt fix the problem..stiffer penalties for bad owners and authority figures that actually enforce those penalties is what the city needs..these people are ignorant and closed minded people that are ignoring the facts..thanks for the support Public!!

Monday, May 26 at 6:02 PM normal person wrote ...

How stupid. I knew this stuff went on in big cities, california or whatever, but i never would think so close to home. What a bunch of morons.

Monday, May 26 at 5:32 PM SOMEONE wrote ...

I DONT LIVE IN LEOLA BUT I DO PUT ON LOTS OF MILES ON BIKE. CANT SAY I AHVE HAVE EVER BEEN CHASED OR SCARED BY ANY OF THESE BREEDS.... BUT I HAVE BEEN BY LOTS OF OTHERS!!! WHY NOT JUST OUT LAW DOGS ALL TOGETHER.... THIS ORDINANCE IS RIDICULIOUS...WAIT UNTIL SOMEONES POODLE NIPS AT SOMEONE ARE THEY GETTING BLACK LISTED NEXT????

Monday, May 26 at 4:59 PM littledogmom wrote ...

breed bans just band aid the problem, they don't heal it. bad owners are the issue. I don't care what kind of dog it is, if I am out for a walk, I want to feel safe. there's links to the ASPCA's thoughts on breed bans here http://shelteroftheheart.blogspot.com

Monday, May 26 at 1:01 PM chitownsoxfan wrote ...

I don't believe that it is the dogs that are the problem, it is the owners. Some dogs DO have it in their DNA to possibly be vicious, but that doesn't mean the others can not be mean. I once saw a grown man get bit in the rear by a toy poodle, but you don't see them on this list. Plain and simple, do not ban the dogs, ban the ignorant and stupid people that do not know how to handle such dogs or make sure the dogs do not act in such a way from being able to own not just these, but any dog.

Monday, May 26 at 12:45 PM dog owner wrote ...

I have 3 large house dogs, 1 german sheperd, 1 sheperd/husky mix, and one redbone coonhound. The coonhound is the most unpredicatable and potentially dangerous of the 3. If I lived in Leola, I'd be moving. There are jobs and places to live anywhere. I would not give up my pets, I would move!

Monday, May 26 at 12:39 PM dumbpplsuck wrote ...

This is the dumbest thing iv ever heard. The dog is not at fault. The owners should be. This is animal discrimination. Next they are going to ban Black dogs...

Monday, May 26 at 12:22 PM zoie wrote ...

so what are they going to do with these dogs? put them to sleep? how is it humane to put these innocent animals to sleep when they haven't even commited any crime but we have such a problem using lethal injection on murderers? if a dog is mean it's because the owner doesn't know how to raise them properly. that poor dog in the picture looks scared. it doesn't look mean at all and it has a death sentence now

Monday, May 26 at 11:32 AM doglover wrote ...

This is ridicules, my son has a German Shepard, Irish Shepard mix dog that is the biggest baby and a pit bull that would lick you to death . I would trust both these dogs with the youngest child. It is owners that teach dogs to be vicious. Open your eyes people. This is why prejudges continue in our lives .

Monday, May 26 at 10:41 AM Cubsfan wrote ...

That picture breaks my heart!!! So all the people that own these breeds.... is it goodbye to the family pet????

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