NC town considers ‘dangerous dog’ regulations

PINEVILLE, N.C. (WBTV) – The Town of Pineville will hold a public hearing Tuesday night to address “dangerous dogs.”

On the council agenda it states that council members will hear a request to amend the animal ordinance to include regulations pertaining to dangerous dogs.

WBTV reached out to council members for clarification.

Councilman David Phillips said that to his knowledge, council members do not intend on targeting specific breeds. “I would not support that,” Phillips said.

However, we were told that there have been several complaints recently about pit bulls running loose in Pineville and that prompted the public hearing. Several people in the community are now worried that the wording “dangerous dogs” could lead to a breed-specific ordinance.

Jennifer Ondrako volunteers with the American Pit Bull Foundation. She tells WBTV that people tend to associate negative stereotypes with pit bulls and other breeds.

“It is always shocking that people want to single out a single breed. I mean it is heartbreaking and it is a shame,” Ondrako said. “I don’t think it should be breed-specific. I think it should be for dogs in general.”

Ondrako owns a pit bull that works as a certified therapy dog.

Regarding Tuesday’s meeting, Councilman Phillips said he would like to see the amendments being discussed target dog owners who can’t keep their dogs, of any breed, safely on their property.

“They would have to put up a fence around their property. Also, they would not be able to tether their dog in front or beside their house,” Phillips said.

Animal control would be part of the ordinance enforcement, according to Phillips. “This is for the overall safety of the families who live in Pineville,” Phillips said. “We just don’t want to see anybody get hurt.”

A vote on the ordinance will not take place Tuesday night.