1. Keeping Prohibited. It is unlawful to keep, harbor, own or in any way possess within the corporate limits of the City a Pit Bull Dog as defined in section 2 of this ordinance.
2. Definition. "Pit Bull Dog" is defined to mean:
A. The Bull Terrier breed of dog.
B. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed of dog.
C. The American Pit Bull Terrier breed of dog.
D. The American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog.
E. Dogs of mixed breeds are known as Pit Bulls, Pit Bull dogs or Pit Bull Terriers.
F. Any dog which has the appearance and characteristics of being predominately of the breeds of Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier-known as Pit Bulls, Pit Bull dogs or Pit Bull Terrier, or any combination of any of these breeds.
G. If DNA testing is necessary to prove breed of dog, and the test is negative to the "pit bull" breeds listed above, the City shall pay for the testing. If the testing is completed and the test is positive for any of the "pit bull" breeds listed above, the dog owner shall pay for the cost of the testing.
3. Exceptions. A Pit Bull dog used as a guide dog or a signal dog shall be exempt from this section. A guide dog, signal dog, shall be defined as a dog trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability; including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.
***Penalties for violations pertaining to this Chapter, please refer to section 1.14 of the Forest City Code of Ordinances.
(Ch. 55 Ord. 792 - Feb. 19 Supp.)