Springfield city council members are getting threats over the ban on pit bulls passed this week. And now city officials are speaking out, taking those threats seriously and not standing for what they are calling abuse by pro-pit bull people.

City leaders say council members are being bullied by many who support pit bull ownership. They're taking a firm stance against some inappropriate comments online.

Tensions are high emotions are ramped.

"In my nine years of city manager, I’ve never seen the kind of backlash we’ve seen to this issue," said Springfield City Manager Greg Burris.

Many pit bull supporters have singed out council members who voted for the ban on any new pit bulls. They are name calling, leaving nasty messages and calling for boycotts at businesses owned by council members.

"They can still be heard, express your concerns, but do so without concerns or attacking them, said Burris. "They are volunteering their time to set policies."

City officials are not the only ones upset. Two ladies started pro pit bull groups in Springfield. They say these comments are actually doing more harm than good.

"Going and acting out against businesses like that, that’s what we don’t want," said one pit bull owner. "That’s how they are going to label people that are pit bull lovers is those crazy pitbull people thath’s not what we are going for

They and city leaders are speaking out against the people making these inappropriate comments, saying it needs to stop.

"I'm embarrassed for our community," said Burris. "I hate to say that but I think we can do better than that. It's getting out of hand yeah def. getting out of hand."

City leaders say many pit bull supporters are organizing petitions to overturn the ban on new ownership. Current dogs must be registered.