PARMA, Ohio -- For more than three decades, Parma has prohibited pit bulls in the city. That could change on May 7, when voters will decide Issue 10, which asks residents whether they wanted to keep or remove the city’s breed-specific legislation (BSL).

“I’ve heard from voters on both sides of the pit bull ban, underscoring why the city chose the most democratic way to give Parma residents a voice on the matter through the ballot box,” Mayor Tim DeGeeter said.

The ballot issue debate began last fall when BSL opponents started attending City Council meetings. At that point, city leaders -- including DeGeeter -- suggested that those in favor of overturning the 1987 ordinance should pursue a ballot initiative.

After hearing interest from both sides of the issue, DeGeeter and city leaders decided to put it on the May ballot themselves.

Cleveland resident Jeff Theman is a BSL opponent who attended the council meetings.

“As we’ve gone through this process to force Parma City Council to modernize their dangerous and vicious dog laws to -- at the very least -- resemble the State of Ohio, we’ve found an increasing number of both residents and non-residents who came out in support of this initiative,” said Theman, who took part in protesting Lakewood’s pit bull BSL language, which was changed last year.

“It’s gained steam all throughout the Cleveland metropolitan area, as many communities within Northeast Ohio have repealed their own BSL -- whether it be a ban or restriction of certain types of dogs.”

Theman noted that since last fall, Rocky River, Garfield Heights, Mentor-on-the-Lake and Willoughby Hills have repealed their respective legislation.

“While there is still so much progress to be had, we feel confident that on May 7 Parma residents will vote yes on Issue 10 to repeal their 30-plus-year ban,” Theman said. “It’s just not a popular law anymore.

“And, if by chance it doesn’t pass, Mayor DeGeeter and Parma City Council have already been made aware this is not the end of this debate in their city," he said.

The ASPCA, which is in favor of the passage of Issue 10, will be hosting a rally at 3 p.m. Sunday (May 5) at Veterans Memorial Park.

“Breed-specific laws are ineffective and costly to enforce,” ASPCA Great Lakes Region Director of State Legislation Sana Azem said. “Dangerously broad laws like the one in Parma, that ban any dog that resembles a pit bull, unfairly target responsible dog owners and endanger loving dogs who need homes.

“Our research shows that eight out of 10 Ohioans believe it is their right to choose the type of dog they have in their homes. We urge them to make their voices heard on May 7 by voting yes on Issue 10," Azem said.

When asked for his thoughts on how residents will vote, DeGeeter said: “I think Issue 10 could be a close vote based on feedback I’ve received from people in the community.”

Read more news from the Parma Sun Post here.