North Dakota grandmother targets pit bulls after her grandson buys puppies

Grandma targets pit bulls after grandson buys dogs

REGENT, N.D. — A southwest North Dakota woman is trying to ban pit bulls from her small community after finding out her adult grandson purchased three of the dogs. Patty Robbins circulated a petition to ban pit bulls and Rottweilers, gathering 43 signatures in the town of 200 and she turned it into Regent city officials Tuesday.

Robbins said she hopes her action doesn’t damage her relationship with her grandson but isn’t sure about the effects of her petition.

David Winegar said his grandmother “freaked out” about his dogs but added, “We get along. My grandma’s my grandma.”

Robbins said she once watched one of her dogs get attacked by a pit bull and fears for the safety of her grandson’s four boys and others in the town.

“Why take a chance?” she said. “It’s like giving those kids a loaded shotgun to play with and hoping it doesn’t go off.”

Winegar said whether dogs are vicious depends on how they are raised. He paid $600 each for the registered pit bulls and likely will move from town if they are banned, he said.

Auditor Karen Kouba said a public hearing likely will be held in a couple of weeks on the issue. The final decision will be up to the City Council.

Information from: Bismarck Tribune, www.bismarcktribune.com