Ottumwa releases poll results on pit bull ban

OTTUMWA, Iowa — The City of Ottumwa has compiled feedback on its most recent interest poll on pit bulls and breed specific restrictions. The poll was posted on the city's website from April 27, 2022 to May 3, 2022. Results are not scientific and should not be assumed to capture the sentiment of only the residents of the community.

From the questions listed below the following was gathered:

Leave breed specific language in place where pit-bull as a breed are banned from being in city limits.

• Yes: 336
• No: 1192

Allow any dog regardless of breed within city limits and lift current ban.

• Yes: 1187
• No: 347

Allow any breed of animals in city limits with restrictions put in place for “high-risk animals” such as required insurance, microchipping.

• Yes: 712
• No: 814

Poll results are not definitive and should be viewed as only one way staff and elected officials receive information.

The method of gathering these results did not provide the option for the City to verify names and zip codes. As a result, multiple people residing in Ottumwa (as well as around the globe) could have taken the poll several times, providing different emails and zip codes. As such, poll results should not be expected to reflect future actions taken by the City Council.