Roane County (WVLT) One East Tennessee community is close to implementing a ban on pit bulls.

Volunteer TV's Kim Bedford has more.

Rockwood mayor Mike Miller proposed the ban and it passed its first reading Monday night, 5 to 1.

There's one more vote to go next month and if it passes, there will be major restrictions on existing pit bulls and no more additional pit bulls will be allowed in the city.

Mike "Brillo" Miller, Rockwood City Mayor says, "I just don't think we need that kind of animal in our community."

Miller doesn't want to see any more pit bulls in the city.

"I've been thinking about this for a long time and I just, I think they're a dangerous dog. I think if they attack, you have a hard time, if you can at all, getting them off of a kid or an adult or anybody."

Owners that have pit bulls now, would be grandfathered in, but they must have liability insurance, along with several other restrictions.

Miller continues, "you have to keep it penned up. If you get it out of the pen and bring it outside or anything, it has to be muzzled."

Wendy Jackson, a pit bull owner says, "when you put that muzzle on them, people go oh, that dog bites."

While she doesn't live in the city limits, she strongly opposes the ban.

"Once the city begins to pass this, the county commission will be looking at it, as well."

The new restrictions wouldn't just affect her pure breed Katie, her pit bull-boxer mix Molly here would be included.

"She is a laid back, lay on the couch kind of dog, and she would be affected by this type of ban because she's a mix."

Kippy Vaughn has several dogs fenced in in Rockwood and sees too many wandering loose.

"I'm not against pit bulls. What I have a problem with is irresponsible owners who let their dogs run loose."

Which is why she's against the mayor's breed-specific ban.

"I think if you target one breed of animal, then eventually you're going to target another breed like German Shepherds, which is that I have."

But Mayor Miller says the pit bulls are the most dangerous and he doesn't want to put the safety of the community at risk any longer.

"I don't want some parent coming to me and saying, why didn't you do something."

Under the ban, if a pit bull has puppies, the owner would have to sell them to someone outside the city within six weeks.

Residents tell us they're also concerned about no longer being able to rescue pit bulls from shelters.

The final vote from city council will take place February 18th.