Good news out of Springfield, Missouri! City residents voted to overturn a ban that would prohibit any future ‘pit bull’ type dogs from entering the city. The City Council voted 5-4 last October to ban ‘pit bulls’ and the ordinance was scheduled to take effect in January. However, the issue was sent to the ballot and an overwhelming 68 percent of voters rejected the measure. This will ensure that breeds such as the American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one or more of the mentioned breeds, will be allowed to remain in the City of Springfield.
The text from the ballot measure was as follows:
“Shall the City of Springfield establish a future ban upon the possession of new pit bull dogs within the City limits by prohibiting acceptance of any new pit bull registrations and only allowing renewals of existing current pit bull dog registrations by amending the Springfield City Code, Chapter 18, ‘Animals,’ Article II, ‘Dogs, Cats and Ferrets,’ Division 3, ‘Prohibition of Pit Bull Dogs,’ by amending Section 18-98, ‘Additional Regulations,’ through the addition of such language to said section and designating an effective date?”
The American Kennel Club Government Relations department would like to thank everyone in Springfield who voted “no” or volunteered during this primary election to overturn this ban. The American Kennel Club and the Missouri Federation of Animal Owners have supported bills at the state legislature that would outlaw Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) altogether, but to date, these bills have not passed.
Read AKC GR’s blog for more information on this ballot measure.