BSL in Texas

Proposal to ban pit bull terriers discussed at meeting
By David Crowder / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 06/13/2007 08:04:10 PM MDT

Banning pit bull terriers in the city was among the proposals discussed today at a meeting between health district officials and members of City Council and county Commissioners Court.

The meeting at City Hall was to be a joint, decision-making session of City Council and county Commissioners Court but it fell short of that.

County Judge Anthony Cobos and Commissioners Dan Haggerty, Luis Sariñana and Miguel Téran failed to attend. Commissioner Veronica Escobar was present along with representatives of the county attorney and auditor's offices.

The idea of banning pit bull terriers came from Jesse Miller, who runs a nonprofit animal rescue service and shelter.

Bred to fight, pit bulls have been involved in deadly attacks on pets and people.

"We have a serious pit bull problem in this community," Miller said, "and it's going to take a couple more kids to get killed ... before you say, 'You know what? We've got to do something."

"Pit bulls ... are associated with drug dealers and gang members. People that have pit bulls in our community shouldn't have them."

She urged the health district to ask for and the council to approve more animal control officers than Galvan has put in his proposed budget to deal with all the problems.

Asked if the city could ban pit bulls, Galvan said it can and that he would support it.

"As a home rule city, you can pass any ordinance you want until it is challenged in court," Galvan said.

While the city could impose such a ban, county government does not have he authority to do so in unincorporated areas.

David Crowder may be reached at dcrowder@elpasotimes.com; 546-6194

http://www.elpasotimes.com/breakingnews/ci_6134196

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Contacts
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Mayor John Cook:
http://www.ci.el-paso.tx.us/mayor/default.asp

District 1 - Ann Morgan Lilly
http://www.ci.el-paso.tx.us/district1/

District 2 - Susie Byrd
http://www.ci.el-paso.tx.us/district2/

District 3 - J. Alexandro Lozano
http://www.ci.el-paso.tx.us/district3/

District 4 - Melina Castro
http://www.ci.el-paso.tx.us/district4/

District 5 - Presi Ortega
http://www.ci.el-paso.tx.us/district5/

District 6 - Eddie Holguin Jr.
http://www.ci.el-paso.tx.us/district6/

District 7 - Steve Ortega
http://www.ci.el-paso.tx.us/district7/

District 8 - Beto O'Rourke
http://www.ci.el-paso.tx.us/district8/

City Manager and Deputies:

City Manager - Joyce Wilson
http://www.ci.el-paso.tx.us/city_manager/default.asp

Quality of Life Services - Deborah G. Hamlyn
http://www.ci.el-paso.tx.us/city_manager/DCM_ql.asp

Financial & Administrative Services - William F. Studer Jr.
http://www.ci.el-paso.tx.us/city_manager/DCM_AS.asp

Development & Infrastructure Services - Patricia D. Adauto
http://www.ci.el-paso.tx.us/city_manager/DCM_ID.asp