Buckner is facing opposition to its ban of pit bulls and vicious dogs.
A couple who owns two pit bulls on Thursday asked aldermen to change the ordinance so they can buy a home in town. The board voted to take a final vote on the issue Sept. 4.
Rhiannon and Casey Embree, who live in Oak Grove, are interested in buying a home on Sibley Street. But when they learned of the city’s ordinance banning pit bulls, they called city hall to inquire.
Rhiannon Embree said she was afraid that if they didn’t inquire and notify the city that they own the dogs, the city would confiscate their animals once they moved in.
The board adopted the ordinance in 2000, after a small child was chased by a pit bull while riding a tricycle. The child was not injured, but the dog tore up the bike.
The Embrees told the board that their animals are not dangerous or vicious and that they are well-controlled and would be contained behind a six-foot wooden privacy fence while in the yard. They also have an enclosed kennel where the dogs can stay, Casey Embree said. The dogs are not left out in the yard when their owners are not home, they said.
Alderman Jimmie Jones said the board should consider the consensus of the public when making a decision.
“There’s been too many people come to this board, over the years ... and I’m not willing to make an exception at this time.”
Alderman Dennis Gilmore said he doesn’t like making exceptions.
“What do we do with the next couple who comes along?” he asked.
The Embrees said although their dogs are pit bull mixes, they are not vicious or dangerous.
“We didn’t get them for status or what a lot of people get them for,” she said after the meeting.
Jim Affolter, who lives next door to where the couple hopes to move, said he’s concerned about school children in the area.
He said small children sometimes walk from nearby Buckner Elementary School to the public library and would be walking right next to the fence.
“Those children are kindergartners, and they’re holding hands and singing songs,” Affolter said. “If something happens and those dogs want to, they can scale that fence. If they’re after something, they can do it.”
Affolter said he believes the couple’s dogs probably aren’t vicious, but he’s afraid the dogs could scale the fence if they became territorial about the yard.
He added that amending or dropping the ordinance could send the wrong message to pet owners who own vicious dogs.
But, Casey told the board: “It’s pretty much saying those dogs are guilty before they did anything.”
