The Kosciusko Board of Aldermen will vote on an updated dog ordinance at its next meeting.
The updated ordinance is in response to an issue with aggressive dogs running at large within the city.
“We are bombarded every day with calls on dogs,” said Mayor Tim Kyle, “and it has just been out of hand here for a while.”
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Most calls, Kyle said, are on pit bulls.
“We have had so much trouble,” said Kyle. “Our pound is full of pit bulls. We get calls every day by people complaining about pits, being chased — it never ends. We’ve had several people bitten this year by pits. We had one lady attacked, that if it had been a child to get off that school bus that day instead of that lady, this would be a whole different story today.
“We hate to regulate people’s animals, but we have a responsibility to public safety, too.”
According to the ordinance, it will be unlawful to keep, possess or harbor a vicious dog within the city limits. The owner of a dog that is declared to be vicious, however, may appeal that determination to the Board of Alderman within 10 days of the declaration.
According to the ordinance, a vicious dog includes pit bulldogs, dogs belonging to the breed of dogs commonly referred to as pit bull dogs, American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, bull terrier, chow chow, Doberman pincher, Rottweiler, Shar Pei, Staffordshire bull terrier, wolf hybrids, cane corso and any type or breed of dog used as guard or attack dogs.
The animal control officer and/or police officer may find and declare a dog potentially dangerous, dangerous or vicious if the officer has probable cause to believe that the dog falls within the definition of “potentially dangerous dog”, “dangerous dog” or “vicious dog.”
Owners of potentially dangerous dogs or dangerous dogs must register the dog with the city at an annual fee of $25.
These dogs are not permitted go at large or leave the owner’s property unless the dog is securely leashed and muzzled. They must be spayed or neutered, and owners must provide proof to the city within 10 days of the dog being declared potentially dangerous of dangerous by Animal Control.
The owner of a potentially dangerous dog may apply to the director of Animal Control to have the declaration waived after two years if the owner has complied with the ordinance, the dog has not had any incidents and the owner provides proof that the dog has completed a behavior modification program.
Dogs that have been declared dangerous need to be kept in a secure enclosure. Owners must use a leash and muzzle when the dog is outside of its enclosure.
A dangerous dog must be securely confined in a residence or confined in a locked pen or other secure enclosure that is suitable to prevent the entry of children and is designed to prevent the dog from escaping. The enclosure must include shelter and protection, provide adequate exercise room, light and ventilation, and be kept clean.
The owner of a dangerous dog may apply to the director of Animal Control to have the declaration waived after three years if the owner has complied with the ordinance, the dog has not had any incidents and the owner provides proof that the dog has completed a behavior modification program.
The ordinance was brought up during the board’s meeting on Feb. 7. An updated version that had adjustments to some of the wording of the ordinance was brought before the board to consider during the Feb. 21 meeting. A vote is expected during the board’s meeting on March 7.
A grace period will be allowed if the ordinance is approved.
“I just don’t think we need to drag it out because we are an accident waiting to happen, and we don’t want that anymore,” said Ward 4 Alderman Jeffery Woods.
To view the complete ordinance, visit www.starherald.net.
