A bill that would ban the ownership of pit bull dogs in Hawai'i appears to be dead this session.

Senate Bill 79 was introduced at the start of the legislative session by Senate President Colleen Hanabusa. She said she did so at the request of a constituent, although she said she didn't feel that the measure had a chance to advance.

The bill was referred to the Judiciary and Government Operations Committee, but committee Chairman Brian Taniguchi did not schedule it for a hearing. Taniguchi yesterday said the bill is dead for now, although all measures that aren't passed automatically carry over to the next session.

The bill was introduced two weeks after a Honolulu police officer was bitten by a pit bull mix following a confrontation with a man in the parking lot of the Kapahulu Safeway. That incident and other reported attacks renewed debate over whether people should be allowed to own these dogs, which have gained the reputation of being vicious and uncontrollable.

If approved, the measure would have made it a misdemeanor to own, possess or sell pit bulls.

Many pit bull owners, as well as the Hawaiian Humane Society, have opposed the breed-specific ban proposal.