Mississippi County Toughens Pit Bull Regulations

July 14, 2014

Pit bull owners in Carroll County, Miss., may keep their dogs, but they will have to obey stricter regulations.

The Greenwood Commonwealth reports a new ordinance will take effect Aug. 9 that will not allow pit bulls to be chained outdoors or run loose in yards.

The ordinance, approved in a 3-2 vote this week by supervisors, said the dogs must be securely confined indoors or, if outdoors, kept in steel cages of a certain size on concrete foundations. A pit bull must be muzzled when out on a leash and anyone walking the dog must be at least 21 years old.

Pit bull owners must also carry $100,000 liability insurance policies or post $100,000 cash bond with a reputable bonding company, and they must have their dogs spayed or neutered.

No dwelling may have more than three of the dogs, and they can’t be within 50 feet of a public school, park or church when activities are being held.

Penalties for violations include fines of $250 to $500 for a first offense, $500 to $999 for a second offense and $1,000 to $1,499 for third and subsequent offenses.

Cases will be heard in the justice court.

The call for a pit bull ordinance came in the wake of a fatal attack on a child by two pit bulls in Holmes County on March 31.

Sheriff Jerry Carver supported the ordinance. Carver said his office gets calls every day about loose dogs causing problems.

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