Sue Kiesewetter

Special to the Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK

FAIRFIELD – Pit bull dogs may soon be allowed in Fairfield under a revamp of the city’s animal ordinance being developed by the city’s law department.

It is part of an overhaul of the law and would strengthen penalties on irresponsible dog owners and require liability insurance of at least $10,000 on pets.

“We’ve been talking about this for a long time," said Mark Wendling, city manager. “There’s been a great deal of interest within the community regarding our animal control ordinances."

The goal, said Fairfield attorney Steve Wolterman, is to bring Fairfield’s law in line with changes made by the state legislature in 2012.

At that time language was removed from state law that permitted banning breed specific dogs. Since then, courts have rule against communities that ban dogs based on their breed.

Fairfield has banned pit bulls since 2006. Pit bull refers to four major breeds of dogs: American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, or Staffordshire bull terrier.

Rather than ban specific breeds, Wolterman said the city is strengthening penalties against owners that allow their dogs to run loose, or bite another animal or person. Definitions are being added for nuisance, dangerous, and vicious dogs.

“I think this would give our officers the ability to address dangerous or vicious dogs regardless of their breed," said police Chief Stephen Maynard.

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Once a dog is classified in one of those categories, additional, progressive restrictions on the animal would apply. Among the restrictions would be muzzling, fencing of property, a minimum of $100,000 liability insurance and being issued a dangerous dog certificate.

“Are we giving our officers, the court, the leeway to go after the irresponsible pet owners," Mayor Steve Miller asked.

“I want to make sure the court has the ability to order restitution. It makes sense to me that we’re able to do that."

Wolterman said that would be accomplished by raising the level of the offense.

Also under consideration also is raising the number of pets allowed in each household from the current two up to four. That would have to addressed through the city’s zoning code, Wolterman said.

Wolterman said he has asked the Humane Society of the United States to provide input on the changes. Sample legislation has been provided by Kurt Freimuth, a district leader volunteer with the Humane Society.

Proposed legislation could come before city council in August or September. Miller said it would receive a minimum of three readings before council before adoption to give enough time for public input.