ABERDEEN - The Aberdeen Board of Aldermen voted to amend the city's pit bull ordinance, which originally was drafted in 2005.

"We have the registration forms ready, pending board approval, and we are going to require the applicants bring photos of the kennels in which the dogs will be stored," Mayor Jim Ballard said.

Among the new regulations are:

- Confinement pens must be as secure as the soon-to-be-built holding facility at the Aberdeen Animal Shelter.

- Beware of Dog signs and orange collars will be provided at registration. The dogs must wear an orange collar at all times.

- Registration fees are $50 as opposed to the prior fee of $10.

- Penalties have been amended from a minimum of $100 to a maximum of $1,000 to a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $1,000.

Jail time, if ordered, will be seven days to six months. If a pit bull is caught and stored at the shelter, the dog's owner must pay for food and necessary vet fees as well as a $25 per day holding fee.

"I think this ordinance has some pretty good teeth in it," Ward 1 Alderman Alonzo Sykes said. "I think the higher fees and stiffer penalties will make people want to comply."

The amended ordinance was passed by a vote of 4-1 with Ward 3 Alderman David Ewing voting against the motion.

Ewing said he voted against the measure because he felt "the animal control officer should have been brought in on the discussion."