E. CAPE ORDINANCE SINGLES OUT PIT BULLS, IN EFFECT ON SUNDAY

EAST CAPE GIRARDEAU, Ill. -- Residents Sunday will have a new dog ordinance to follow relating to pit bulls.

The measure, passed unanimously by the village's board of trustees in May, is being published as a legal notice, the only step necessary before it takes effect.

Village Board President Joe Aden said there was no particular incident regarding pit bulls that led to the board's decision.

"We felt like it was something that our community needed," he said. "It was decided that it would be good for our community -- kind of like preventive maintenance."

Aden estimated there may be two pit bulls in the village.

Those owners will have to provide proof of ownership, current health records, certificate of insurance for at least $10,000 to cover damages by the dog, two photographs of the dog and a $20 license.

The ordinance, modeled after one passed in Carbondale, Ill., doesn't allow residents to bring more pit bulls into the village.

Pit bull pups born in the village will have to be moved from the city limits within 48 hours.

The ordinance defines pit bulls as members of four breeds -- particularly bull terriers -- and dogs with at least half-blood of those breeds.

The ordinance also spells out confinement and leash requirements for pit bulls.

Mayor pro-tem David Pearce agreed that the ordinance was a "preventive measure."

He said the village hasn't had any problems with pit bulls.

"We have been talking it over for the last year," Aden said, adding that the trustees worked out the ordinance on mutual agreement.

Pit bulls, however, don't seem to be a problem in Cape Girardeau.

W. Eric Cunningham, assistant city attorney, said he hasn't dealt with any complaints on pit bulls in his 13 months on the job.

Warren Wells, city attorney since 1987, doesn't remember any complaints either, and the city council hasn't asked for information relating to an ordinance on pit bull dogs during his tenure.

"It doesn't seem to be a major problem," Cunningham said. "Maybe people here don't buy pit bulls or maybe those who have them keep them under control."

Cunningham said the city has an ordinance against animals running at large. City residents must have their pets on a leash.

Having an ordinance against one particular type of dog could be challenged in the courts, Cunningham said. By naming just one type of dog, constitutional questions could arise on equal protection of the law and due process, he said.

Dr. John Koch, veterinarian and owner of the Cape Small Animal Clinic in Cape Girardeau, said pit bulls were a controversial subject.

"Over the years, the pit bulls in our practice have been very good, gentle dogs," Koch said. "My impression is a lot of the hysteria is media-made. There's only a few dogs that cause problems."

Koch, who has practiced in Cape Girardeau since 1970, said he didn't view pit bulls as being any more dangerous than Rottweilers or chows.

The scary thing about pit bulls is that they latch onto a victim and don't let go, he said.

"Their jaws are very powerful," Koch said. "They're a powerful adversary."

Koch described one pit bull that was a problem at the clinic. The dog didn't want to go back into his cage. The dog's jaws clamped down on a steel pole and bent it around on itself.

"That was a little frightening," Koch said. "But that's only one pit bull out of the dozens and dozens we've seen over the years."

An associate at the clinic has a pet pit bull, which has been "really super good," Koch said. The badly hurt dog was brought to the clinic after it was hit by a vehicle.

"The character and courage of the dog made such an impression on us," Koch said. "We were doing things to it that no other dog has tolerated. It was a real gentle dog."

Although Koch said he doesn't have a particular opinion about the ordinance, he doesn't think it is fair to single out one type of dog. He said he had his doubts about how effective that kind of ordinance is.