Cincinnati Drops Pit Bull Ban

Breed-specific legislation took another big hit today: For the first time since 2003, Pit Bulls are no longer banned in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The City Council voted 8-1 to officially remove “any and all breed-specific language” from the municipal code, according to Cincinnati.com.

Previously the code prohibited the ownership of “dangerous or vicious dogs,” which it defined as Pit Bulls.

“It’s fantastic. It’s been a long effort, but we’ve had some great supporters from all across the country … that’s had an overwhelming affect on Council,” Jim Tomaszewski, SPCA Cincinnati trustee, told CityBeat. “Dog owners, of Pit Bulls or not, have flooded Council with requests to change the law.”

In February, Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed House Bill (H.B.) 14 into law, which stopped the state’s automatic labeling of Pit Bulls and dogs that look like them as “vicious.” The law was supported by many animal lovers, including Willie Nelson. However, it did not affect existing Pit Bull bans or breed-specific legislation in individual Ohio cities.

The Cincinnati City Council also established a Task Force for the Humane Treatment of Animals that will work on further law changes to punish animal abusers, according to Cincinnati.com.

PHOTO: jclutter

Laura Goldman

Laura Goldman is senior social media writer for i Love Dogs, Inc. She does love dogs. And elephants and turtles. Along with writing about the loves of her life, Laura likes to play with her two pound pups and tell anyone who’ll listen just how awesome Pit Bulls are.