The mauling to death of an NIU student by pit bulls last week has prompted the DeKalb city manager to ask for options on an ordinance putting tighter restrictions on ownership of the dogs.

City Manager Mark Stevens said in a report to the council Monday that he had received a few calls from residents who are concerned about pit bulls in DeKalb.

Stevens said he has asked City Attorney Ron Matakaitis to research possible ordinances that would restrict ownership of the dogs, but a proposal will not be ready for quite some time.

Fourth Ward Alderman Rita Tewksbury said she had discussed restrictions with city staff members after receiving a call from a resident concerned about a neighbor’s pit bull.

Tewksbury said an ordinance would not ban the dogs but would require them to be tied or fenced in. “I don’t think we could ban them (legally),” she said.

Fences might be required to meet height requirements so dogs could not jump out, Tewksbury said. An ordinance would not necessarily single out specific breeds, she said.

City Clerk Marguerite Hoyt said she has sent a list of dog-related ordinances from cities nationwide to the city attorney.

Hoyt said she is not sure whether an ordinance would affect persons who already own the dogs.

It will be three to four weeks before an ordinance could be prepared, Matakaitis said, but banning pit bulls might be one option.

Matakaitis said he is not familiar with other cities’ attempts to ban specific breeds or if such attempts have been challenged in courts.

There are arguments for both sides, Matakaitis said. There are many options for the council to consider in passing an ordinance relating to dogs, he said.

Karen Grush, a DeKalb County Health Department administrator, said there are 23 pit bulls registered in DeKalb County with seven of those in the city of DeKalb.

Hoyt said DeKalb does have ordinances that require dog owners to keep their pets on their property, and under DeKalb law, animals that bite or attack can be impounded.

DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow said Tuesday that an ordinance is worth pursuing. He said he has received two to three calls from concerned residents about pit bulls in DeKalb.

Sparrow said, “I want to see the legality of banning specific dogs.” The mayor said he would support some kind of restrictions so dogs could not run loose.

But Beverly Keef, president of the DeKalb Dog Obedience Group, said she does not think dogs should have to be tied. “I personally don’t think there are bad dogs, just bad owners,” she said, adding she supports better education for dog owners and controls that would prevent owners from training dogs to fight.

Seventh Ward Alderman Mark Powell said he is in favor of tighter controls on pit bull owners. He said the potential for another attack like the one that killed NIU student Kevin Cull exists.

Cull, a graduate chemistry student, bled to death after being mauled by one or two pit bulls outside Geneva on Nov. 10. Authorities said Cull was visiting friends when the attack occurred.

Robin Leckbee, an archives specialist at the regional history center in Swen Parson Hall, has been a professional dog trainer and breeder for ten years. She said the term “pit bull” is generic in nature and can be used to describe more than one recognized breed.

Leckbee said she is against ordinances aimed at banning specific breeds but is not opposed to laws that would prevent dogs from running loose.

Second Ward Alderman Michael Welsh said he has not made up his mind about a dangerous dog ordinance. “It’s difficult for me to decide which animals are dangerous and which are not,” he said. Some breeds might be as dangerous as pit bulls, the alderman said.

Sixth Ward Alderman Michael Neylon said he had difficulty supporting an ordinance that singled out a specific breed. Other breeds can be just as mean, he said.

The city council is scheduled to meet again on Nov. 28, but officials said a dog ordinance will not be ready for discussion by that date.