A New York City councilman is saying that American Pit Bull Terriers are “weapons” and a danger to public safety and is proposing legislation that they be banned in New York City.
Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Queens) is the legislator who wants to ban the canines. “Pit Bulls are responsible for many, many attacks. A parent on the street can’t protect their children or themselves from this, what is actually a weapon,” he told the New York media on Dec. 26.
Vallone’s proposal would repeal a current state law prohibiting breed-specific legislation. That would then clear the way for the city to enact a ban on Pit Bulls being sold or bred throughout the city.
Current owners, however, would still be able to keep their pets. It’s unclear as to whether the ban would apply only to purebred Pit Bulls or Mixed Breeds as well.
Vallone, who owns a Bison Frise, is pushing for a city council hearing in early 2007 on his resolution.
In 2005 there were 3,956 dog bites reported in the city, according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. However the department doesn’t keep statistics on the breeds of dogs involved.
A number of American cities, including Denver, Kansas City, Mo., and Miami, have banned the breed over the years.