E-mails critical of proposal in Rantoul to ban some dogs

RANTOUL – Karla Brewster-Clinch has multiple sclerosis and spends most of her day confined to a wheelchair.

She says she depends on her service dog, a Rottweiler named Largo.
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"Largo is a true joy to be around," she said. "She is great with kids and is a life saver for me."

But under an ordinance proposed by the Rantoul Village Board, Brewster-Clinch would either have to give up Largo or move out of the village.

Brewster-Clinch was one of 21 people sending e-mails to the village of Rantoul opposing a proposed ban on pit bulls, Rottweilers and Doberman pinschers and limits on the number of other dogs residents will be allowed to have.

The Rantoul police are researching similar ordinances enacted in other communities before the issue goes before the village board for a vote. Village Clerk Jeremy Reale said the ordinance probably won't be voted on before Jan. 13.

Rantoul Trustee Chuck Smith proposed enacting an ordinance setting limitations on certain breeds of dogs after a village inspector found 19 pit bulls inside a single-family home in Rantoul during an inspection of rental property in July.

"I'd like to ban certain breeds and set limits on other breeds," Smith said. "We need to ban pit bulls, Rottweilers and Doberman pinschers based on the reputations of the animals, not the owners."

After Deputy Police Chief Hank Gamel said his office began studying ordinances from neighboring communities, The News-Gazette made a Freedom of Information Act request for copies of all e-mail received by the village concerning the dog ban plan.

If the e-mails are any indication, many area residents oppose Smith's proposal.

The documents show that all 21 people commenting on Smith's plan oppose banning pit bulls, Rottweilers and Doberman pinschers. Not one writer supported the proposal.

"As a pit bull advocate, I am disgusted and outraged," Tiffany Ezzo wrote. "I've raised these amazingly loving and intelligent animals all my life, and they make wonderful pets. Banning pit bulls is wrong!"

Julie Perry said banning all pit bulls because of the way they are handled by certain dog owners is unfair.

"Pit bulls are stereotyped, abused, neglected and exploited," Perry said. "It is not their fault that the thugs and trash of society often own them for a bad boy image.

"If you treat your dog nice, it will be nice. If you starve it and beat it, it will be mean."

Fran King said she worked as a trainer for a boarding kennel for 25 years.

"Please reconsider your thoughts on breed banning," King said. "You can take a litter of a dozen pups and end up with many different behaviors.

"When one or more breed is banned it takes no time until another breed is added, and another, etc. A problem dog should be dealt with by dealing with the owner."

Several letter writers praised Mayor Neal Williams, a longtime Rottweiler owner, for opposing Smith's plan.

"Mayor Williams, thank you for your brave and principled stand against singling out certain breeds of dog to be banned," Jean Richardson wrote. "This is unwise, ineffective and vaguely racist."

"There are scores of so called 'dangerous breeds' working every day as service dogs and therapy dogs, and the loss of these breed ambassadors providing service to owners and those in need would be devastating," wrote Catherine Varidel, a Rottweiler owner.

Smith proposed the ban after 19 pit bulls were discovered July 18 during a routine inspection of a rental property at 525 N. Ohio Ave. Village utility records list the occupant's name as Debra Lenington, according to Dan Culkin, the village's chief inspector.

Letter writer Kenneth Zirkle of Rantoul called the occurrence an isolated condition.

"The proposed rule concerning a limit on the number of pets in a house and specifically a total ban on certain breeds is totally excessive, unnecessary, a knee jerk reaction and overboard," Zirkle said.

Elizabeth Lathrop suggested the village consider, instead, a mandatory spaying and neutering program for all dogs, anti-chaining legislation, enforcing pre-existing leash laws and launching educational programs on responsible dog ownership.

"Any dog can be a problem for the public if the dog is not supervised or is mistreated," Lathrop said. "Please do not punish responsible owners who maintain their dogs as companions and members of the family and do not pose a threat to anyone."