Mesquite Wants the Right to Ban Specific Dog Breeds

July 22, 2008

The Mesquite City Council is asking the Texas State Legislature to allow them to decide for themselves whether to ban specific breeds of dogs to better protect their community.

The measure is aimed at breeds such as pit bulls that many believe are vicious and bred for fighting, or have reputations of biting.

Mesquite Councilman Dennis Tarpley said constituents ask why the city won’t ban dangerous dogs?

Tarpley said, "state law does not allow cities to pass such an ordinances."

He further stated, "In 2007, Texas had the highest rate of fatal dog attacks in the nation. Last year, there were 32 fatal dog attacks. Seven occurred in Texas, and six were due to pit bull-type dogs. In Mesquite, there were 366 dog bite reports. Of that number, 124 involved pit bulls."