The move was sparked by the state’s decision in May to remove pit bulls from its list of vicious dogs. The law overturned community pit bull bans.
“Our council wanted to be consistent with the state,” Percival said, explaining the action.
The motion to refund $22.50 will be put on a list of bills presented to council.
The issue of how to handle pit bulls has been discussed in Xenia for months.
Prompted by the 2010 attack on resident Linda McGaughey by two pit bulls, council voted last December to require owners of pit bulls and a handful of other breeds to register those dogs with city’s police department.
Owners also had to provide proof of liability insurance of not less than $100,000, and a valid rabies vaccination certificate. Owners also had to prove the dogs were registered with Greene County.
On Thursday, council members Wesley Smith, Joshua Long, Michael D. Engle and Dale Louderback cast votes in favor or refunding the money.
A similar measure to refund the money failed in June. Louderback said Smith was absent from that meeting and reintroduced the issue Thursday.
Louderback said he has personally long opposed the pit bull registry. His convictions were solidified after researching which breeds are at the center of most attacks.
“My whole thing is where does stop?” he said. “We have ordinances in place to protect anybody who is attacked by vicious dogs.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2384 or arobinson @DaytonDailyNews.com.
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