Owning a certain dog breed in one Valley community could cost you in fines.

Just last month, the town of Worthington in Greene County made changes to its existing animal ordinance. Starting next week, pit bull terriers or a dog that is a quarter of a pit are banned in town.

It’s unlawful to keep livestock in Worthington. That includes pigs, goats, horses to name a few. In a few days, pit bulls will fall under that same category.

Just last month, the town board approved the ordinance revision with a 4-1 vote. Board president Mackey Stahl, who declined an on camera interview, states the new ordinance is to make sure no pit bulls do harm to any resident.

Royer Veterinarian Services sits on Canal Street in Worthington, right next to the town hall. When workers heard of the ordinance banning pit bulls, they couldn’t help but be perplexed.



“It doesn’t matter on the breed. Any dog has a tendency that can be aggressive. Some are sweet, some are aggressive. But I can’t say pit bulls in particular are the most aggressive or anything,” Emmalee Mahan said.



Emmalee has interacted with a variety of dog breeds. Karen Romine, also a worker at Royer, echoes Emmalee’s statement: that one breed may not be more aggressive over another.



“Any dog can be dangerous, whether it be a pit bull, a rotteweiler, a shepard or just a mix breed of any kind,” Romine added.



Peggy Dailey, a Worthington resident, has several dogs, none of which are pit bulls.



“They’re in a pen. No way in, no way out. It’s locked. Either that or they’re on a leash. I just feel like the town was very wrong in it,” Dailey said.



She feels it’s the responsibility of the owner to properly train their dogs, no matter the breed.



“If they don’t guide them correctly or they don’t love them and care enough and treat them to be fighters, then that’s what they’re going to be. I feel like it’s up to the person and I don’t feel like it’s the dog,” Dailey added.



Uriah Resler, also of Worthington, couldn’t agree more.



“Maybe some rules and stipulations on your pets as far as dogs and things. To go against the breed, that is kind of discriminatory.”



This coming from someone who had pit bulls his entire life. In fact, his brother still has a few of his own and also a few kids at home.



“He has 3 children. One’s 6 years old, one’s 3 years old and one’s a newborn and he has 2 of them living in the house now. They’re just nice as can be,” Resler explained.

Those caught with a pit bull will be fined $50 per day, until they get rid of the dog.