Salina Voters to Decide Fate of Pit Bull Ban

League of Women Voters hosts forum ahead of special election on repealing city's 2004 ordinance.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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The Salina League of Women Voters hosted a public forum as the city's voters prepare to decide whether to repeal a 2004 ordinance that banned pit bulls within city limits. The original ordinance was enacted after a young girl was mauled by a pit bull, but a community group has gathered enough signatures to force the city commission to either repeal the ban or put the issue to a public vote, which they chose to do.

Why it matters

The pit bull ban has been a contentious issue in Salina, with advocates arguing that lifting the ban would help pit bulls find homes and ease the strain on animal shelters, while opponents cite public safety concerns. The upcoming special election gives residents a direct say in the matter.

The details

Salina's original pit bull ordinance, enacted in 2004, prohibits residents from owning, keeping, harboring, or possessing pit bull dogs within city limits. The ordinance was put in place after a young girl was mauled by a pit bull. Last year, a community group gathered enough signatures to force the city commission to either repeal the ban or put the issue to a public vote, which they chose to do.

  • The original pit bull ban ordinance was enacted in 2004.
  • Last year, a community group gathered signatures to force the city commission to act on the ban.
  • Voting on the repeal will be conducted by mail, with ballots going out on February 4, 2026 and needing to be returned by February 24, 2026.

The players

Salina League of Women Voters

A local chapter of the national nonpartisan organization that encourages informed and active participation in government.

Salina City Commission

The governing body of the City of Salina, Kansas, which chose to put the pit bull ban repeal to a public vote rather than repealing it themselves.

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What they’re saying

“You've seen them sitting on street corners with signs out, and so they were really working. Now, everyone else, if they weren't in favor of the change, they were just watching it happen. So we haven't had much public debate.”

— Ann Zimmerman, Vice President, Salina League of Women Voters (ksn.com)

What’s next

Voters in Salina will receive their mail-in ballots on February 4, 2026 and must return them by February 24, 2026 to decide whether to repeal the city's 2004 ban on pit bulls.

The takeaway

The upcoming special election in Salina gives residents a direct say on a longstanding and contentious issue, with advocates arguing the ban should be lifted to help pit bulls find homes, while opponents cite public safety concerns. The vote will have significant implications for the city's approach to regulating certain dog breeds.