Beebe joins the ranks of several other communities in central Arkansas that is saying no to pit bulls. The ban kicks in August 23rd and bans all pit bulls and other vicious dogs. Only 10 existing dogs will be grand-fathered in.
When our day started we had no idea who this pit bull belonged to, within an hour, it's owner Ronnie Hoggard came to pick him up. Ronnie's got until August 23rd to get his dog out of Beebe.
"I've been worried, didn't know, t know if I would get him back," said Ronnie Hoggard. Ronnie says, his dog, Little Scrappy is friendly, and doesn't know why officials are jumping on the pit bull ban bandwagon.
"It's been getting loose, not causing harm to anyone, any animals," said Hoggard.
Although animal control does not keep records on how many vicious attacks there have been from pit bulls and related breeds, city officials say there is a problem. Animal Control Officer Horace Taylor says right now, there are at least 100 pit bulls in the city. He knows, he's been bitten twice by them.
"We've been having problems, running loose, I've been more busy on pit bulls, than on all the rest of the dogs," said Horace Taylor.
Only 10 owners registered their dogs in time to be grand-fathered in. Still, they must comply with several requirements, including, implanting a micro-chip under the dogs skin so officials can identify them fast and purchasing $100,000 worth of liability insurance.
Ronnie says he can't afford all of that. "That dog's gonna be with me till he dies all I know," said Hoggard.
After August 23rd, if a pit bull or related breed is spotted in Beebe and it has not been grand-fathered in, it will be confiscated by animal control, and put up for adoption. Only animal shelters will be eligible to adopt.
At least 10 cities have a pit bull ban in place. Among them are: Lonoke, Jacksonville, Sherwood, North Little Rock, Maumelle, Pine Bluff, Mcgehee, Stuttgart, Hot Springs and Russellville.
