INDIANAPOLIS -- The city's mayor on Wednesday said he'll ask the City-County Council to ban pit bulls in Marion County, citing recent dog attacks on residents.

"More kids and more people in our community (are) getting torn up by pit bulls, and I'm just sick to death of it," Mayor Bart Peterson told 6News' Rick Hightower.

Several pit-bull attacks on people were reported in the city this month. One of the most recent incidents happened last week, when a pit bull injured the 7-year-old daughter of its owner's girlfriend.

"We're seeing people being mauled in our city and kids being mauled and disfigured for life. Undoubtedly there will be one killed before too long, at this rate," Peterson said.

Last year, the council passed an ordinance that defined dangerous animals and prescribed penalties for the owners of those that attack people.

Before the measure passed, council members considered focusing on pit bulls because one disfigured a 2-year-old girl in May 2006. Ultimately, however, the council decided the ordinance wouldn't single out any breed, but rather cover any animal that fit one of four descriptions, such as having chased a person in a menacing fashion.

Local pit bull owners with whom 6News talked Wednesday were not impressed with Peterson's call for a ban.

Nathan Hampton said his pit bull, Jasmine, has never bitten anyone. He said he Jasmine is a pet who offers him protection.

"There's a lot of people that have pit bulls, and most people don't use (their) dogs to fight," Hampton said. "They just use them for protection like everybody else."

Marcus Johnson, whom animal control officers cited this month on suspicion that one of his pit bulls attacked a man, said he would oppose a ban.

"I really don't agree with them trying to ban pit bulls because a pit bull is a dog. That means you should ban all dogs if that's the situation," Johnson said.

Peterson acknowledged he would face opposition over his idea, but he said a struggle would be worth it if a ban prevents attacks on children.

"I think these animals ought to be banned from Indianapolis. I don't want to see them in Marion County," he said.

A ban would not be without precedent. Denver and Miami have banned the breed, and the Massachusetts Legislature is considering a statewide ban.