Tonganoxie again is revisiting its dog breed ban.

City Council Member Kara Reed asked that the city again examine its breed-specific ban of pit bulls and Rottweilers.

Tonganoxie resident and veterinarian Tabatha Regehr, pet groomer Monica Gee and pet boarder Jenny Worden all spoke in favor of lifting the ban, as did Crystal Swann Blackdeer with the Leavenworth County Humane Society.

Regehr, whose practice is in Shawnee, which allows pit bulls, said the community needed to be better educated about the issue.

She said of dogs that have been aggressive toward her, she’s not had issues with pit bulls or Rottweilers. She noted that the type of dog that has been most aggressive in her 15 years of animal care has been the dalmatian, which generally is not a dog that has the stigma that a pit bull or Rottweiler has experienced.

The City Council originally established the breed ban by adopting an ordinance in 1993, and following with an amendment ordinance later that year. At the request of a citizen who had dogs that fell under the breed ban, the council again looked at the issue in 2009.

After hearing arguments on both sides of the issue, the council at the time opted to not take any further action.

Blackdeer noted that Tonganoxie is the only Leavenworth County community other than Easton and Linwood to still have such bans in place. And, she said, there’s no animal control in Linwood to enforce it.

Monday’s meeting served as the first discussion on the topic in the latest round of the debate. Council Member Jim Truesdell asked that the public have a chance to weigh in at a future meeting.

Fellow council members agreed and said the next meeting, 7 p.m. June 20, would be an opportune time to continue the discussion.

City Attorney Mike Kelly said he understood the viewpoint of lifting the bans, but he said he preferred leaving the ordinance as it was.

Gee continued to speak in favor of the ban repeal. She pointed to various places on her arms where she’s been bitten and by what type of dog. None was a pit bull or Rottweiler.

“It’s very close-minded to put a ban on certain breeds,” she said. “It’s all about socializing them and taking care of them properly.”