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In KTVB.com is another example on how 3 commisioners have the power to scream BAN PIT BULLS! Please visit this article to see the video.

Payette County bans residents from owning pit bulls
April 20,2007
By Ysebel Bilbao

Payette County has had enough, no more pit bulls.

That after commissioners passed an ordinance banning dogs deemed "vicious."

The ordinance says that any vicious dog, a dog that's attacked people or livestock without being provoked could face following the ordinance.

That includes pit bulls, but goes one step further with that particular dog, saying no more in Payette County.

"He is like my little buddy he keeps me company, he's my companion, he goes everywhere I go," said pit bull owner, Jesse Lawellan.
Payette resident Jesse Lawellan is the proud owner of this red nose pit bull.

He adopted him eight months ago and Jesse says the dog is a part of the family.

"Very well mannered, he'll jump on you to smell you but other than that he's excellent," said Lawellan.

But now Lawellan faces loosing his puppy if he doesn't follow new rules set in Payette County.

Recently the county's three commissioners unanimously passed an ordinance that defined dangerous dogs and officially banned new ownership of pit bulls.

"We thought it was in the best interest of the public safety truthfully," said Larry Church, Payette County Commissioner.

Church says for months he and the other two commissioners have been debating the issue, but ultimately decided to go with the ban. The same ban is already in place in Payette and Fruitland.

The ordinance says residents were not allowed to buy, or acquire a pit bull after March 28th. For people who already own them, there are rules and regulations that must be followed.

For instance pit bull owners have to get a license that costs $500 annually and they're required to carry a minimum of $1 million insurance policy.

Church admits that's a large chunk of change but says recent attacks in Fruitland and Ontario prove it's a necessity for his community.

"Even when you think they are pets and the best friend of the family, you never know because they were bred to fight, they were bred to fight," said Church.

Lawellan disagrees, "I have seen cow dogs meaner than pit bulls, I have seen poodles meaner than pit bulls, it's a lot of it has to do, just like having a child, it's how you raise them."

While Jesse doesn't agree, he says he'll have to obey the ordinance. But he says its discrimination, and doesn't believe the decision is fair.

"I just wish they'd think about it before they judge a dog, there are bad people that shouldn't be in society and they are still in society," said Lawellan.

Commissioner Church says the ordinance was copied from one already established in Denver.

Denver's ordinance has been challenged all the way to the Supreme Court. There is still pending litigation there regarding the issue.