In Youngstown, Ohio, no person may own, keep, harbor or possess a Pit Bull Terrier, with an exception for dogs previously registered. However, such dogs must be kept in compliance with mandatory requirements, such as being properly confined or kept on a leash with a muzzle. The owner must also post a "Beware of Dog” sign and keep liability insurance. A violation is a misdemeanor and may result in the dog being impounded and humanely destroyed.
505.191 PROHIBITION OF PIT BULL TERRIERS.
(a) "Pit Bull Terrier" as used herein means any dog belonging to the breed Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier, or any dog that is commonly known as a pit bull dog or pit bull terrier, or any mixed breed of dog which has the appearance and characteristics of belonging to such breed as identified by a veterinarian, dog warden, humane officer or other qualified individual.
(b) No person shall own, keep, harbor or possess a "Pit Bull Terrier" within the municipal limits of the City of Youngstown.
(c) "Pit Bull Terriers" that are lawfully registered with the Mahoning County Dog Warden's office prior to the effective date of this section and for a continuous period thereafter are exempt from this prohibition. Any "Pit Bull Terrier" that is not lawfully registered prior to the effective date of this section, or for a continuous period thereafter, is considered a “non- exempt Pit Bull Terrier."
The owning, keeping, or harboring of such dogs, however, shall be subject to the following mandatory requirements:
(1) Leash and Muzzle. No person shall permit a "Pit Bull Terrier" to go outside of a residence unless such dog is securely leashed with a leash no longer than four (4) feet in length and muzzled by a device sufficient to prevent such dogs from biting persons or other animals.
(2) Confinement. All "Pit Bull Terriers" shall be securely confined inside of a residence if not secured outdoors as provided herein. If the dog is confined outdoors, it must be in a securely enclosed and locked pen or enclosure with a secured top, except when leashed and muzzled as provided above. Such outdoor structure shall have a secure bottom or floor attached to the sides of the pen or the sides of the pen shall be embedded in the ground not less than two (2) feet. All outdoor structures erected to house "Pit Bull Terriers" shall comply with all building and zoning regulations. All outdoor structures erected to house "Pit Bull Terriers" shall be adequately lighted and ventilated and kept in a clean and sanitary condition. "Pit Bull Terriers" may not be confined on a porch or patio or in any part of a house or structure that would allow the dog to exit of its own volition.
(3) Signs. All owners, keepers, or harborers of "Pit Bull Terriers" within the City shall within ten (10) days of the effective date of this section display in a prominent place on their premises a sign easily readable by the public using the words "Beware of Dog." In addition, a similar sign shall be posted on the outdoor kennel or pen of such dog.
(4) Litters Born to Exempted Pit Bull Terriers. All offspring born to an exempted "Pit Bull Terrier" shall be removed from the City no later than ten (10) weeks after the birth of the offspring.
(5) Liability Insurance. No owner, keeper, or harborer of a "Pit Bull Terrier" shall fail to obtain liability insurance with an insurer authorized to write liability insurance in the State of Ohio providing coverage in each occurrence, subject to a limit, exclusive of interests and costs, of not less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) because of damage or bodily injury to or death of a person caused by a "Pit Bull Terrier." Said insurance must be obtained within ten (10) days of enactment of this section.
(d) Whoever violates subsection (b) hereof shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. In addition to any other penalty available for a violation of subsection (b) hereof, the “Pit Bull Terrier" that is the subject of the offense(s) shall be impounded and humanely destroyed according to the provisions of Section 505.02 and any person found guilty of violating this section shall pay all expenses, including shelter, food, boarding, or veterinary expenses necessitated by the impounding and humane destruction of the dog. Whoever violates any provision of subsection (c) hereof shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor. For any subsequent violation of any provision of subsection (c) hereof, the person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. In addition to any other penalty available for a subsequent violation of subsection (c) hereof, the "Pit Bull Terrier" that is the subject of the offense(s) shall be impounded and humanely destroyed according to the provisions of Section 505.02 and any person found guilty of violating this Section shall pay all expenses, including shelter, food, boarding, or veterinary expenses necessitated by the impounding and humane destruction of the dog.
(Ord. 07-216. Passed 9-5-07.)