Two Cities in Mississippi Make Insurance Mandatory for Pit Bull Owners

Two cities in Mississippi have enacted legislation making it mandatory for owners of pit bull dogs to have insurance.

In Brandon, owners of pit bulls have two months to obtain necessary permits, and will be required to have liability insurance and special pens for the dogs. Flowood residents, on the other hand, have only one month to obtain their permits.

The local paper, the Clarion Ledger is reporting that leaders in both cities were unanimous in their adoption of regulations of pit bull dogs and similar breeds last week.

Under the new regulations, pit bull owners must have a pen of at least 100 square feet, with a roof, a concrete floor, and a chain link fence at least six feet tall. Those residing in Brandon must have their pens in a fenced back yard. In addition, owners must have at least $100,000 of liability insurance.

Violators of the new regulations can be fined up to $1,000 and jailed for up to three months.