The city of Adairville had first reading on a new animal ordinance, which has been in the works for nearly two years.

Council member Marla Sircy spent a lot of time working on the document – taking out portions of the city’s old animal ordinance and adding newer updated sections.

The new ordinance, which will become law after a second reading at next month’s council meeting, toughens the city’s rule against owning pit bulls.

The new ordinance bans “dogs of the type and species commonly referred to as pit bulls, or any mixed breed of dog which contains as an element of its breeding pit bull.”

Some cities, such as Russellville, allows residents to own pit bulls, but they must be specially licensed.

“With the size of our city, we can’t license animals,’ Sircy said.

The ordinance also says that residents cannot keep “a dog that may be, or is dangerous or vicious.” The ordinance clearly spells out that a complaint can be filed about any dog within the city and if it is found to be a danger by the police chief, it will have to be removed from the city within seven days.

Other issues the ordinance covers includes keep dogs contained or on leashes at all times in the city and removing any excrement from others’ property.

“I relied heavily on Russellville ordinance and on the Kentucky League of Cities when writing this new ordinance,” Sircy said.

There is also a section of the ordinance that deals with animals other than just dogs, including a provision which bans all wild and exotic animals from the city.

Mayor Jim Wilkerson said at Tuesday’s meeting that he was concerned about enforcing the new ordinance.

But Sircy noted that “it’s hard to keep everyone from speeding on the roads” too, but that doesn’t mean there should be no laws against that.