PARMA, Ohio -- Parma voters upheld the city’s pit bull ban on Tuesday night, but the vote was so close it could trigger an automatic recount.

The ordinance that would have lifted the city’s ban, in place since 1987, failed 50.09 percent to 49.91 percent, according to unofficial results.

That’s far below the .5 percent requirement to trigger an automatic recount.

This total does not necessarily include all mail-in or provisional ballots, which could change the margin and eliminate the need for a recount.

Of 51,000 dogs registered in Cuyahoga County, about 1,785 are pit bulls.

The term “pit bull” refers to mixes of breeds including the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the Bull Terrier.

Pit bull breeds are still barred in other Ohio cities, such as in Warrensville Heights, although a wave of municipalities including Rocky River, Lakewood and Garfield Heights recently lifted their bans.