An ordinance amending Chapter 8.08 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws prohibiting persons found by a court to have violated the vicious dog ordinance from owning pit bulls within the area of the Metropolitan Government.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That Chapter 8.08 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws be and the same is hereby amended by adding the following new Section 8.08.070:

"8.08.070 Keeping of pit bulls.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person found by a court to be in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter to own, possess, keep, exercise control over, maintain, harbor, or sell any pit bull within the area of the Metropolitan Government.
B. For purposes of this section, a "pit bull" is defined as any dog that is an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one (1) or more of the above breeds, or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club for any of the above breeds.
C. If the appropriate authorities of the department of health or the metropolitan police department determine that a pit bull is being possessed, kept, maintained, harbored, or sold within the area of the Metropolitan Government in violation of this section, said pit bull shall be impounded pursuant to the provisions of section 8.08.040 of this chapter.
D. If, after an investigation upon a complaint by the division of metro animal services, the director of metro animal services has probable cause to believe that a pit bull is being kept, maintained, harbored, or sold in violation of this section, said pit bull shall be impounded and the owner shall be charged with violating this chapter in accordance with the provisions of section 8.08.050 of this chapter."

Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect from and after its passage, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Jason Hart