Imagine if your city government could dictate the kind of dog you have? If passed, State Senate Bill 32 would allow cities to ban certain dog breeds.
The bill doesn't specify breeds that could be banned, but the Okmulgee Humane Society said dogs sometimes known as bully breeds come to mind -- dogs like Pitbulls, American Bulldogs, and Rottweilers. Lyn Miles of the Humane Society said if you ban one breed, where do you draw the line?
"If you ban a specific breed, then even the right people can't take care of or own one of these dogs and show it the love it needs," said Miles. "All animals, I don't care if it's a Pitbull or a Poodle, needs love."
Those dogs often have a bad reputation, some say with good reason.
"You often hear stories of small children that have been attacked by certain breeds of dogs that have a propensity for violent attacks," said Senator Patrick Anderson who authored the bill.
Right now Oklahoma law says municipalities can't ban certain breeds of dogs. Senator Anderson said Senate Bill 32 will give local communities a say.
"I think it's really about a community saying we want to have the option to make that decision whether we want to allow these types of animals in our communities or not," said Senator Anderson.
Senator Anderson compared the dog ban to a law approved in Norman that bans roosters because of the noise. He said certain dog breeds can pose a threat to citizens.
Senate Bill 32 will be introduced at a first reading on February 4th.
