The Daily
News
Published
January 11, 2009
SANTA FE —
Beneath a stick marker and freshly tilled earth in Bert Roberts’ backyard rest
two beloved family dogs. Both pets met their demise when a neighbor’s pit bull
escaped its confines, their owners said.
Distraught
after 10 years of loving care for Prissy, a Chihuahua, and Lucky, a fox terrier,
Bert Roberts approached Santa Fe Mayor Ralph Stenzel and city council members
for help.
“We’re
trying to have some ordinance in Santa Fe that prohibits pit bulls in the city
limits,” Roberts said.
The city
broached the idea before, City Manager Joe Dickson said, after consulting with
the city’s attorney. State statute apparently prevents a breed-specific ban,
Dickson said.
A state
legislator reportedly in November asked Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott to
clarify the law, saying it needs further interpretation on whether the language
prohibits municipalities from banning breeds.
Stenzel
said he is interested in what the attorney general has to say. The idea also
warrants discussion among the council and residents, Stenzel said.
Both dogs
were attacked Dec. 27. Prissy disappeared early in the day after the Roberts,
just as they always did, let her outside to go about her business. A
neighborhood search for her was unsuccessful until they found her mortally
wounded at their veterinarian’s office in Texas City, the Roberts said.
The
Roberts suspect a neighbor took Prissy there and didn’t tell them.
Before
Prissy’s discovery, Lucky went outside with Roberts’ husband, Cliff, later in
the day. He also disappeared as Cliff Roberts headed to his workshop. He found
Lucky dead near a bush about 2 p.m. and then saw a pit bull coming toward him.
“She
backed me up against my tree,” Cliff Roberts said. “I hollered at her. She was
threatening and showed her teeth. Her whole front was bloody. I didn’t have
sense enough to get my gun.”
A county
animal control officer cited the dog’s owner for allowing the pit bull to roam
loose, having no proof of rabies vaccination and no county license, said Kurt
Koopmann, a spokesman for the Health District.
Officials
are reviewing the incident to determine whether the pit bull should be declared
a dangerous dog, which would require the owner to restrain the dog, obtain
liability insurance and post a dangerous dog sign.
“What
would have happened if it had happened when my grand babies were here?” Bert
Roberts said.
Even if
the city banned pit bulls, Stenzel questioned whether dogs present before a ban
would be grandfathered and how the city could enforce the rule.
“I don’t
see how all of the sudden everybody with a pit bull would have to get rid of
it,” Stenzel said. “You don’t want to over-regulate, but you want to keep safety
of people in the city under consideration, too.”
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