GROSSE POINTE SHORES (WWJ) - Less than one month after a controversial ban against pit bull-type dogs went into effect in Grosse Pointe Shores, city council members repealed the ordinance.
The council met on Tuesday (Oct. 10) evening and voted 4-3 to remove language regarding "pit bulls" from the dangerous dog ordnance that passed by the same margin on Sept. 19.
The breed-specific ban inflamed strong opinions from residents on both sides of the issue, which comes months after a vicious dog attack prompted the discussion.
While residents called for a stronger vicious dog ordinance, the majority spoke out against targeting pit bull type dogs, arguing it is the owner's responsibility to look after their animal regardless of breed.
As reported by WXYZ, the mayor's office was flooded with emails from residents voicing opposition to last month's vote. A stack of them were held up during Tuesday's meeting.
"Thank you for doing the right thing. And a dangerous dog does cover pit bulls too that do bad things, so you're good," one man commented at the meeting via WXYZ.
The Grosse Pointe Shores Code of Ordnances originally stated: "No person owning, keeping, possessing or harboring any dog or cat shall permit such dog or cat to be on a public street or highway, in a public park, public building or any other public place at any time" unless it is on a leash of no more than ten feet or in a vehicle.
Furthermore, the ordnance states that residents are not allowed to own, keep, harbor or possess "vicious dogs" that are outlined as "one that bites or attacks a person, or a dog that bites or attacks and causes serious injury or death to another dog while the other dog is on the property or under the control of its owner."
When the ban passed in September, it was unknown how the city would be able to determine what kinds of dogs are "pit bulls" -- as no such breed actually exists, per the American Kennel Club.
The term "pit bull" is an overall term to describe a group of different dog breeds that share similar physical characteristics, the organization outlined. They typically include the American Bully, the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the American Bulldog.
It is unclear if the ban was to include any dogs that are mixed.
The conversation over the amending the ordnance to specifically add "pit bulls" began in early summer after a dog -- identified as a pit bull mix owned by Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery and his girlfriend, Tatum Causey -- attacked residents Mike and Dana Owens while they were out walking their small dog.
At an earlier July meeting, Mike recounted the terrifying three and a half minutes he and his wife struggled to save their 14-year-old Cocker Spaniel and poodle mix, Maddie, from the jaws of Montgomery's dog on June 4.
Mike sustained two puncture wounds on his left hand while Maddie, who had been attacked in the leg, had have her limb amputated after multiple surgeries to fix two leg fractures.
The Owens' claim Montgomery and Causey were not reprimanded over the encounter and the couple -- along with other residents -- now fear to walk their dogs in the area.
As reported by the Detroit Free Press, Causey told police that the couple's dog, Lola, escaped from their backyard. Causey was cited for an ordinance violation for harboring a vicious animal while the Owens family filed a civil lawsuit over the incident.
A status conference for the case is scheduled for Oct. 26.
Montgomery, who signed a three-year, $18 million deal with the Lions in March, has just moved into his Grosse Pointe Shores home with Causey days before the attack.
When asked by reporters about the lawsuit back in August, Montgomery stated, "it's getting taken care of."
