Few pit bull owners respond early to Springfield registration law

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A new law aimed at tracking the city's estimated 4,000 to 5,000 pit bulls has gotten few takers with only 12 dogs registered in the law's first month.

The law, passed in April over vocal opposition, gives owners until Oct. 16 to register their dogs. It also requires spaying or neutering, rabies vaccinations, microchipping and an annual $50 fee.

"People aren't moving very quickly," said Assistant Health Director Ron Boyer. "The ones that are registering early on are the ones that are super-responsible and want to make sure they're doing everything right."

In addition to registering, the law requires owners to keep their dogs confined at home, use a leash and muzzle on the dog when in public and make sure the dog wears a city-issued tag.

After Oct. 16, unregistered dogs can be taken to the city pound and euthanized after seven days. Owners also face fines for not registering their dogs.

"We know where many of them are that have been problematic," Boyer said.

Springfield is one of the first cities in the region to put legal restraints on pit bulls as city leaders in many communities are considering restrictions after a series of well-publicized attacks by pit bulls.

Some of those communities are considering banning pit bulls outright.

Pit bull owners in Springfield are split on whether they will abide by the registration law.

Brian Rushing, who owns Shadow, an American Staffordshire pit bull terrier, said he has no choice but register his dog, even though he doesn't agree with the law.

"My dog has not bitten anybody, has not threatened anybody," he said, adding that Shadow is a big hit among customers at his tanning salon. "I don't think (the law) makes any sense. I won't sign up for it until the very last minute."

Jessica Caulkins, a veterinary assistant who helped lead an ultimately unsuccessful petition drive in May to overturn the law, said she will not register her dog, Jack, and is looking for an attorney to fight the law in court.

"Springfield has a vicious dog ordinance in effect before the pit bull ordinance that would have worked very well, if they had enforced it," Caulkins said. "I won't register (Jack) because it states that he is a vicious breed, and that's completely untrue."

Caulkins said she's already had her dog neutered and vaccinated, implanted with a microchip and trained to behave, so the law is penalizing her and other responsible owners.

"I think (registration) is completely unnecessary, and that's probably why they've only gotten 12," she said. "That's people's way of fighting the system."

Boyer said he thinks most pit bull owners will come in in September and October to register their dogs.

"But we also believe that many owners that are less responsible will never get their pit bulls registered," he said.

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Information from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com