Laurel’s administration and some city council members are beginning the steps to possibly ban pit bulls within the city limits.
After researching bans within other cities, including Richland and Clinton in Mississippi, administration officials have rewritten the animal control ordinance. The city council began debate on the issue during a public safety committee meeting. The issue will soon go before the entire Laurel City Council.
“These dogs are breaking out of fences,” Public Safety Committee Chair Manuel Jones said. “People are so afraid to walk the streets now because of the dogs. It’s not just pits, but it’s vicious dogs. Something will have to be done.”
There are leash laws on the books, but they are often not enforced. Jones said the leash laws should also be enforced more.
There will be some debate within the council, however. Ward 3 Councilman Tony Thaxton said he has a issue with telling people they can’t have a certain dog.
“I have a real problem with government telling people what they can and can’t have,” Thaxton said.
Chief Administrative Office Gary Suddith said he agreed with Thaxton’s statement, but also feels strongly about a possible ban.
“I agree I don’t want government telling me what I can and can’t do,” he said.
Suddith also said the same dogs are repeatedly picked up, taken to the Laurel City Shelter, and returned to owners.
“Leave town or be euthanized. The process stops,” he said.
Other council members who are on the committee also voiced concerns. Ward 7 Councilwoman Felicia Mann Breland said she’ll support the ban if it’s broadened to include all “vicious” dogs. Ward 1 Council member Willie Lavonne Evans agreed with the community fear factor, saying she has concerns for children walking. George Carmichael, Ward 4 councilman, said his ward regularly has reports of pit bulls loose on the streets. Some members did not say whether or not they are for banning pit bulls in Laurel, awaiting more formal talks during upcoming meetings.
Local News
Laurel may ban pit bulls
- Local News
-
-
Get ready for control burns in the area
Area motorists and residents may notice a lot of smoke coming from some of the county’s heavily wooded areas in the coming weeks.
-
Officials pleased with Chancellor’s appointment
At 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Lance Chancellor became the new executive director of the Jones County Emergency Management Agency.
-
Heidelberg has a new police chief
A longtime Jasper Countian has been named the head law enforcement official in this Jasper County town.
Huey Powe is now the Police Chief for the Town of Heidelberg. -
Annual Rotary Club Spaghetti dinner Saturday
The Laurel Rotary Club will conduct its annual Spaghetti dinner this weekend at the YWCO.
-
American Red Cross looking for local volunteers
The East Central Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross is looking for a few good men, women, boys and girls to join its team of disaster volunteers.
-
Officials put a name with scammer
Jones County officials have now released the name of a man they are seeking in connection with a recent fire scam in the area.
-
Family barely escapes mobile home fire
In the early morning hours of Tuesday, a family of five was awaken by the smell of smoke quickly filling their 28 x 70 doublewide mobile home located at 39 Ellisville Junction Road in Jones County.
-
Farewell and Hello
Well-wishers from near and far gathered in Laurel to say farewell to longtime Jones County Emergency Management Executive Director Don McKinnon, while his replacement — a familiar face among emergency officials — was welcomed earlier in the day Tuesday.
-
Cobb’s bond set at $250K
A $250,000 cash bond has been set for a 19-year-old Jones County man jailed at the Jones County Adult Detention Center in connection with a vicious attack on a woman in the Sharon Community.
-
Laurel man has given over 33 gallons of blood
Local residents gave blood Tuesday at Laurel City Hall as a part of the City of Laurel’s blood drive.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
