WEST UNION -- Council members on Monday rejected the second reading of an ordinance regulating pit bulls. City leaders will instead return to the drawing board.

The council voted 4-0 to revise the proposed policy and will hear the amended version Nov. 7.

The original draft approved earlier this month banned new pit bulls from entering the community and regulated ownership of those already in the city. That included a provision owners be required to carry $100,000 in liability insurance on their dogs.

"We need to come up with something that takes care of vicious animals, not breeds," said Councilwoman Karen Halva, who did not attend the previous meeting.

Police Chief Ed Adams noted West Union already has a vicious dog ordinance.

"But someone has to get bit before we can do anything about it," he said.

"We're not trying to run this specific breed out of town," Adams added. "We're trying to provide protection."

Halva countered other breeds can be vicious as well.

"Pit bulls have a huge amount of bad press," she said.

Councilman Tobin Britt, who owns a 194-pound St. Bernard, disagreed.

"If I'm going to get bit by a cocker spaniel or a pit bull, I'll take the cocker any day of the week," he said.

Britt reminded his peers of their oaths to protect the city's citizens. He suggested revising the proposed ordinance requiring owners of the existing pit bulls carry $500,000 in liability insurance.

"I kind of got the feeling $100,000 isn't enough and wouldn't take care of the kind of damage that could result," Britt said.

The new proposal would expire in two years unless renewed by the council, which was suggested by resident Vernon Osterhoudt.

"Put it up for trial," he said.

Some at Monday's meeting, however, questioned how the police department will enforce insurance coverage because residents are not required to license dogs.