- City says NO to dog breed bans, safe and responsible pet ownership is key - not by breed bans.

The Maumelle City Council voted against the reinstatement of a ban on specific dog breeds on Monday night, but they did agree to examine a future ordinance that would put more of an emphasis on safety measures like leash restrictions, necessary fencing, fines, citations, and other rules.

Council Member Steve Mosley stated, "I promised last week that I'd put this ordinance before the council. I would like to propose a move to suspend the rules and conduct all three readings this evening, even though I've never done it before.

A provision of Mosley's proposed ordinance, 1076, prohibited particular breeds.

In order to avert attacks by "dangerous dogs," the other members did not second the move to read the ordinance three times, claiming that doing so would be counterproductive.

Instead, council members like Doug Shinn stressed that pet off-leash behavior and inadequate fencing frequently lead to dog attacks in his district.

Shinn also noted that while German shepherds are never included among the prohibited breeds, they frequently appear high on lists of hazardous dogs. He emphasized that the aim should be to promote safe and responsible pet ownership in the community rather than to judge dogs by their appearance and decide whether they should stay or go.

Owners not taking responsibility and code enforcement are both issues, according to Shinn. "There are numerous issues that need to be resolved, and they are not breed-specific."

Mosley's ordinance will be put on hold indefinitely, as decided by the council, so that it can be revised to satisfy all sides of the argument. Jess Holt, a council member, stated that he is drafting an amendment to present to the council at its following meeting.

Other members concurred that a strategy should be discussed and put together that shifts the emphasis while maintaining the ban overall but making locals feel safer.

The previously enacted pit bull prohibition was lifted by the council on a 5-3 decision in April 2021.

A dog attack on Marcus Higgins, 73, and his tiny dog "Ruff," on August 24 is what motivated Mosley to suggest reintroducing the ban.

Since the event, the District Court has mandated that "Zeus," the vicious dog, be put down humanely. According to a court statement, "Saber," the other dog, has been taken into custody in Little Rock "pending future proceedings in this matter."