The Newton City Council met Monday evening to add an ordinance that requires owners of vicious dogs to have insurance of at least $50,000.

The council heard from Jasper County Animal Rescue League Director Teena Wolodkewitsch.

“Pit bulls are strong, larger dogs and so many problems have given the breed a bad reputation,” Wolodkewitsch said to council. “Whether it’s a pit bull or any dog without a collar becomes aggressive, they can inflict a lot of damage in a short amount of time. They have very strong jaws. The last few cases (of attacks) where animals were killed in the City of Newton by pit bulls — All of those animals have been at large previously within months, weeks of the incidences. “