A debate dating back to the 90s is brewing in Wrightstown after 10 families received letters saying their pit bulls are dangerous.

The village is now enforcing an ordinance on vicious dogs and pit bull owners are less than happy about it.

Pandora Larson says she’s owned pit bulls since 1977 and they’ve never given her a problem.

She and her daughter, also a pit bull owner, were surprised by a letter saying they would have to cough up some extra money to have their furry companion.

“It was kind of astounding like a slap in the face because I knew of discrimination, but I had known of a lot of of them being changed back,” says Larson.

“The only reason the letter came out is because our dog license are coming due, at this point they’re up for renewal,” says Wrightstown village administrator Travis Coenen. “Seeing that it may not have been getting enforced efficiently we sent that letter out to make sure everyone was aware of the ordinance and that we were going to enforce that or have these restrictions.”

The Wrightstown village board says the 1990s ordinance requires pit bull owners to have insurance for their dogs and to carry specific signage in their yards.

But some owners say acquiring insurance has been a burden.

“We were we were required to carry a $50,000 extra policy just for vicious dog bites possible,” says Larson.

The discussion Tuesday centered around national statistics about attacks by pit bulls.

Many audience members argued pit bulls are not on the top of the list for most dangerous dogs.

Wrightstown hasn’t seen a dog attack since that 1990s incident where a pit bull killed another dog.

“If I had my way I would take it off the books, but I understand that they need to be proactive, as the township has said, to protect other people,” says Larson. “But I think people are becoming more aware that it’s not just a breed issue any dog can be made vicious.”

The village board tabled the ordinance Tuesday, but said it’s possible they could make revisions.

Stay with Local Five as we continue to cover this story.

