SHADYSIDE VILLAGE Council has done its homework — and then some.

Council members have for months grappled with crafting a vicious dog ordinance. Council went as far as to form a special committee to deal with the issue.

After many meetings and weeks of gathering input, the vicious dog ordinance committee unveiled its long-awaited proposed ordinance Monday night at council’s regular meeting.

As such is the case with many controversial and volatile issues, give-and-take and concessions must enter the process. That is not a bad thing, but rather a fair one.

We believe that to be the case at Shadyside.

It appears that members of the dog committee took their responsibilities quite seriously. That is borne out by the time needed to come to the apparent final product.

People involved admit it is not a perfect proposal. No one expected it to be. With canines involved — some cast as vicious — both sides will not be in total agreement.

But Shadyside officials appear to be tossing a bone to those looking to ban vicious dogs and those who already own them.

It is not too much to ask to live in a community where residents need not fear a possible attack from a vicious dog. Shadyside prides itself on its beauty and friendly environment, not one where dogs run rampant.

The committee weaved an ordinance that enhances the safety of its citizens. The ordinance calls for no one be allowed to own a pit bull in the village.

To those already possessing them, they are being granted grandfather rights to maintain them, but not more than two. They will face some rigid guidelines, however, such as registering the pit bulls within five days of the ordinance’s adoption, the dogs must be always securely confined and they must be muzzled and harnessed when entering or exiting property. Liability insurance as well as spaying and neutering is being required.

That being said, the committee has thoroughly addressed the safety concerns while showing compassion for current pit bull owners.

Although the vicious dog ordinance hasn’t been officially adopted, we believe it will be in the near future, yielding a safer community.