Jill Schramm/MDN Kasey Breuer of Minot speaks to the Minot City Council Tuesday in support of repeal of a ban on pit bulls in city limits.

By a narrow 4-3 vote, the Minot City Council decided on Tuesday to do away with a ban on pit bulls and rely on its dangerous dog ordinance to deal with animal behaviors.

The vote was taken on first reading of the ordinance repeal, and a second reading and final passage is required before any change would take effect.

Council member Carrie Evans proposed repealing the ordinance, which has been in effect since 1987 and was upheld by the council in 2018 when it reviewed its policies and enacted the dangerous dogs ordinance.

“It is my assertion that adoption and implementation of the dangerous animals law later in 2018, along with three years of data on its enforcement and effectiveness have brought this governing body to know better, and with that we need to do better and repeal 7-34,” Evans said, referring to the ordinance code number for the pit bull ban.

Evans researched and presented data from 2019-2021 showing that the eight citations under the pit bull ban did not include any report by an animal control officer that the dog was exhibiting dangerous or potentially dangerous behavior. There were four cases involving a perceived prohibited breed engaged in dangerous or potentially dangerous behavior toward another dog that were cited under the dangerous dog ordinance.

“In the three years of data, there is no report of a prohibited breed dog intentionally charging or biting a human,” she said. “However, three years of data indicate that a dangerous animals law is a better and more effective ordinance and a more precise tool for addressing the potential and the actual dangerous behavior of dogs in Minot, regardless of breed.”

Kasey Breuer of Minot, who has worked in animal training, presented information regarding pit bulls to support the argument against a ban. Less than 1% of a dog’s genes determine physical appearance that can identify a pit bull, she said. 

“Every dog is an individual and should be evaluated as such,” Breuer said. “Both nature and mature contribute to the demeanor of a dog.”

Council member Mark Jantzer said the few problems with pit bulls could be the result of the ban.

“I’m all about protecting people, making sure that as a city we’re doing what we need to do in that regard,” he said.

Council member Lisa Olson cited national statistics and incidents around the country involving pit bulls this year.

“I still am quite concerned about the risk these animals pose, and there is some evidence that these restrictions work,” council member Stephan Podrygula said. 

Jantzer, Olson and Podrygula voted against repeal while Evans, Roscoe Streyle, Paul Pitner and Mayor Tom Ross voted for repeal.