Fairfield passed its ordinance to ban pit bulls in 2006. Only one court — the 5th District Court of Appeals — has ruled against communities banning dogs based on breeds, and City Manager Mark Wendling said it's "unsettled law" with the 12th District Court of Appeals. The Butler County-based court hasn't had the issue before it.
"It could be subject to a lawsuit, that remains to be seen," Wendling said. "It would have to be someone to decide to appeal a decision if we enforce the law."
Most of those who spoke Monday night strongly disagreed with Fairfield's ban.
Resident Crystal Mack said, "You never can judge a book by a cover" and pit bulls that aren't cared for properly can be mean, but that's the case with any other animal.
Kelly Williams, of Fairfield, said, "It's all about how they're raised," and said she's "never ever been bitten by a pit bull."
Since 2016, there have been 59 reported dog bites, according to the Fairfield Police Department. Fourteen of those dogs were believed "at the time" to be a pit bull, but breeds of those dogs are unverified, Law Director Steve Wolterman said when the matter was first introduced in September.
But resident Judy Abbott applauded council's close decision. She admitted pit bulls are "cute dogs," but said, "I think they have a mean streak in them."
Fairfield's pit bull law is enforced by complaint, where someone calls the police to report a possible breed considered as a pit bull.
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"If we saw one loose, we would certainly pick it up and want to know where it is from, but typically it would be complaint-driven," Wendling said. "Certainly, there are certain looks that a dog looks to have pit characteristics, but the only way to be certain from what I've been told by dog experts is a DNA test."
The four primary breeds considered to be a pit bull include American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
The matter could be put on a future ballot for Fairfield voters to decide, but that would be at the direction of City Council.
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