Dublin is latest to ease restrictions on pit bulls

Dublin is the latest city to loosen restrictions on pit bull dogs and their owners, approving ordinances that no longer classify the breed as inherently vicious.

The Dublin City Council voted 6-1 Monday to remove the designation, putting pit bulls on equal footing with other breeds.

The move follows other communities including Bexley, Canal Winchester and Upper Arlington that have pulled restrictions on ownership of the dogs.

In May 2012, the state lifted its 25-year-old law that placed restrictions on pit bulls. But many local laws prevailed until recently, when communities began to reverse their restrictions or bans, in part because of lawsuits and court rulings.

According to a study last year by the nonprofit organization dogsbite.org, 28 of Ohio’s 900 municipalities prohibit pit bulls.

Reynoldsburg still has a ban on pit bulls on its books, but it has not been enforced following appeals court rulings this year that have sided with state law, which makes the bans illegal, said James “Jed” Hood, the city’s law director. New Albany still considers pit bulls vicious, and has restrictions such as requiring them to be leashed and owners to carry special insurance, said Scott McAfee, city spokesman.

Since March of 2015, Dublin police have responded to 18 complaints involving pit bulls, according to city police records. However, it has not had to take any action against those owners.

The revised law now has three tiers for dogs: vicious, dangerous and nuisance, with corresponding behaviors to define them.

Councilman Michael Keenan, who cast the sole no vote, asked “Why would we adopt a law that requires that someone has to be killed or maimed before (the dog) is designated vicious?”

Creating “consistent enforceable regulations” across all boundaries, which helps to save money, was part of the motivation for updating the laws, said attorney Stephen Smith, who assisted the city.

“You’re right, it’s certainly after the fact,” Smith said.