A Lexington, Kentucky, neighborhood has banned several dog breeds, causing grumbling and frustration among many residents.
McConnell’s Trace residents were told in a letter that 11 breeds, including pit bulls, Great Danes, German shepherds, and huskies could not be kept as pets. This modifies a previous restriction that only prohibited “aggressive breeds,” the Lexington Herald-Leader reported.
Local dog expert Rebecca Rossi said that although she sees no problem with limiting pets at apartment complexes, doing the same for single-family homeowners raises a red flag.
"This could set a dangerous precedent for other communities and it is a slippery slope," Rossi told WKYT. "When these restrictions have been put into place in communities and cities across the world actually, there hasn't been a dramatic decrease in cases of aggression."
Current owners of the restricted breeds will be allowed to keep them. The full list includes:
German shepherds
Rottweilers
Mastiffs
Doberman pinschers
Pit bulls (including American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers and “any dogs containing characteristics of these breeds”)
Huskies
Alaskan malamutes
Chows
Great Danes
St. Bernards
Akitas
The new mandate came directly from the neighborhood's developer, Anderson Communities, according to Josh McCurn, president of the McConnell's Trace Homeowners Association. He told the Herald-Leader the association had no vote in the matter and did not “write the language.”
McCurn, who owns a doberman and several other breeds, said even non-pet owners have contacted him to voice complaints.
“I've heard it from both ends of the spectrum,” he told the newspaper.
“As the president, I’ve reached out to the neighbors and said I would be happy to have a one to one sit-down with them ... and relay any message to the developer,” McCurn added.
Shannon Smith, who owns several pit bulls and serves as president of Lexington Pit Crew, a pit bull advocacy group, was disheartened by the mandate.
“I’d like to think that Lexington is above that,” Smith told the Herald-Leader. “But here I sit talking to you about a neighborhood implementing a ban.”