Statewide “Pit Bull” Ban in the Works for Tennessee

By Editor
Jan 16th, 2008

Senate Bill 2738 filed for introduction 1/14/08:

“Creates a class A misdemeanor of knowingly owning a pit bull in this state.”

The expanded version of the bill defines pit bull:

(2) “Pit bull dog” means any pit bull terrier; and

(3) “Pit bull terrier” means any American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American bulldog or American Staffordshire terrier breed of dog or any mixed breed of dog which contains as fifty percent (50%) of its breeding the breed of American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American bulldog or American Staffordshire terrier, so as to be identifiable as partially of the breed American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American bulldog or American Staffordshire terrier.

(b) It is an offense for any person to knowingly own a pit bull dog in this state.

(c) A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor.

(d) In addition to the penalty imposed in subsection (c), the court making the sentencing determination for a person convicted under this section shall order the person convicted to surrender custody and forfeit the pit bull dog or pit bull dogs if the…

To see the bill go to the Tennessee State Legislature site.

Please pass this on to other bull dog people.


Jane Price
Chattanooga Kennel Club
Legislative Liaison

7 Responses to “Statewide “Pit Bull” Ban in the Works for Tennessee”

  1. Sharon says:

    I sent this to a local board in TN where they sell and swap and lot of bully breeds and recieved several emails calling me a liar and worse.
    I like bullys, unfortunately I can’t have them where I live, but everyone needs to gather together to stop this legistration or dobes, rotts, etc could be next!

  2. rachel dunbar says:

    i personally think pitts are fine. me and my brother grew up with 8 pitts and NEVER had any problems. they are no worse than any other breeds. kids have been bit by other breeds and not even been showed. a small breed dog can be agressive , it depends on how the dog is raised.

  3. Angela Felts says:

    I cannot believe what I am reading. Can we not get a ban of the pieces of crap owners that do not take care of their pits? I am outraged that the government thinks they are going to tell me what kind of dog I can have. My dog is a member of my family and is like my kid.

    I know I shouldn’t be shocked, but if the goverment would do something about the owners of all of these abused and mistreated animals, we would actually get a start at fixing the problem!!!!!

  4. maria macchione says:

    I dont think that any state at all should judge any kind of pit bull. It dont matter what kind of dog you own that is small,medium,or large they all can attack anyone or any animal and that is because of how the owner had trained it to be me and to attack or it was beat and that would be the reason a dog would attack. I’m an owner of a pit bull that was beat,kicked in the head and had his tail broke in three different spots and the man that had him after that tried to train him to be mean and attack but wouldnt do that so he wanted to get rid of him because of that fact. I’ve had my pit bull for almost 2yrs and he has NEVER attacked anyone or any animal. He loves all people and that includes people he dont know and animals too. No one should have the right to judge a dog because the owner wants to dumb and make pit bulls ( and should go for any other dogs too) look like they would kill anything and anyone when its not true. All states need to read the history on pit bull before they want to judge and pass a bill to ban all pit bulls.

  5. cindi norris says:

    If they take my pit bull they will have to take me also. Love Love Love my dog.

  6. OWEN CANNON says:

    to take my pit bull (ELVIS) would be like takeing one of my kids. i don’t think our government has that right.

  7. Renee Downey says:

    Everytime I see fear in the eyes of my neighbors as I walk my 90lb’s of pure gentleness around the block; I think of how ignorant they are on the situation. A dog any breed, size, or weight can be taught to fight. It is not the breed that wants to fight for their water, food, attention, shelter, and for your approval. Humans are the ones who do this to them. They don’t want to tear each others throats out, all they want is their owner’s love, attention, they want food and water. They are forced to fight for their own survival. I am afraid of the humans that force this horrible fate. Society is to blame not the “pitbull dogs”.

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