The Platteville Common Council discussed Tuesday amending the city's animal regulations to ban pit bull dogs.

The ordinance, requested by at-large Ald. Mike Denn, would prohibit owning a “pure bred commonly known as pit bull, pit dog, or pit bull terrier,” including a mix of American Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Denn said Tuesday he introduced the ordinance after a Platteville resident walking her small dog was attacked by two pit bulls. He said police did not cite the dogs’ owner, but police Lt. Jeff Haas said the owners removed the dogs from the city after the incident.

Five people registered their opposition to the ordinance, including pit bull owners who live in the Town of Platteville.

The ordinance also would own ban dogs owned for dog-fighting. It would also allow police to seize and, “upon establishing the vicious character of such dog or animal,” kill an animal found off its owners' property. It would also allow police to kill or tranquilize an animal “to prevent real and immediate personal injury to any person” including the officer.

The ordinance would also ban mistreatment of animals, including not sheltering them from inclement weather, “inappropriate size” cages, and not providing “daily contact to provide care and companionship as needed.”

The proposed ordinance was referred to the city Freudenreich Animal Care Trust Fund Committee, whose membership includes two veterinarians.