UPDATE-On September 28, Topeka City Council members did the right thing and repealed their breed discriminatory ordinance targeting pit bulls. The charge was lead by Katie Barnett, a KU Law Student and Best Friends Animal Society Intern. Thanks to all the city council members and the city attorneys for helping creating safe, humane communities.

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Topeka is considering repealing its breed specific ordinance and enacting a generic dangerous dog and anti-tethering ordinance.

This change would save lives and taxdollars. Topeka's animal control has run over budget an average of $30,000 per year for nine years- a whopping total of $272,751.55 plus vet bills. According to a memo from Topeka's City Attorney's office, the main reason for the increase in animal control costs was their breed discriminatory law- dogs seized from their owners and held as unlicensed pit bulls. Helping Hands Humane Society who houses the canines has to kill hundreds of adoptable dogs of other breeds in order to comply with the law regarding "held" pit bulls. The dogs are held for the most part, not because they attacked anyone, but simply because they resemble pit bull terriers.