LorraineO
05-25-2005, 08:32 AM
Dog fight brewing over pit bull bylaw
Last updated May 25 2005 09:07 AM ADT
HALIFAX – A woman is pleading with Guysborough County officials to let her keep her beloved pit bull despite a ban on the breed.
Marilyn Cameron has had her dog Zeus for 13 years. When the bylaw banning the breed was introduced 10 years ago, she failed to register her pet.
Now bylaw enforcement officials say she has to give up her dog.
But Cameron says they better be ready for a fight.
"I asked my husband to lock the door and come pick me up at work. And I'll go to jail, because this dog is not leaving this yard.
"If this dog had of done something wrong, yes. But this dog, all he done is love a family and he greets everybody with a kiss when they come in."
Municipal warden Lloyd Hines says there's not much council can do. If Zeus had been registered, he says council may have been able to help.
"That would have provided an opportunity to deal with existing animals at that time. But that didn't occur, we weren't aware of the dog because it wasn't registered with us."
Cameron insists she was unaware of the bylaw or the need to register any of her dogs, and blames officials for not notifying people.
Council will deal with the issue Wednesday. Cameron plans to be there to plead Zeus' case.
Last updated May 25 2005 09:07 AM ADT
HALIFAX – A woman is pleading with Guysborough County officials to let her keep her beloved pit bull despite a ban on the breed.
Marilyn Cameron has had her dog Zeus for 13 years. When the bylaw banning the breed was introduced 10 years ago, she failed to register her pet.
Now bylaw enforcement officials say she has to give up her dog.
But Cameron says they better be ready for a fight.
"I asked my husband to lock the door and come pick me up at work. And I'll go to jail, because this dog is not leaving this yard.
"If this dog had of done something wrong, yes. But this dog, all he done is love a family and he greets everybody with a kiss when they come in."
Municipal warden Lloyd Hines says there's not much council can do. If Zeus had been registered, he says council may have been able to help.
"That would have provided an opportunity to deal with existing animals at that time. But that didn't occur, we weren't aware of the dog because it wasn't registered with us."
Cameron insists she was unaware of the bylaw or the need to register any of her dogs, and blames officials for not notifying people.
Council will deal with the issue Wednesday. Cameron plans to be there to plead Zeus' case.