Post by maryellen on Sept 9, 2009 16:37:21 GMT -5
sundaygazettemail.com/News/200909031006
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- South Charleston City Council introduced an ordinance Thursday night regarding the regulation of dangerous dogs in city limits.
According to Mayor Frank Mullens, the ordinance has been a work in progress since the beginning of his term and will let city residents know where dangerous dogs live and who own them. The ordinance includes strict guidelines for owners of pit bulls, Rottweilers and Presa Canarios, and heavy fines if owners do not comply.
If passed, the ordinance will require all dog owners of these breeds to obtain a permit from the city. The city, in turn, will issue a red tag that must be worn on the dog's collar to identify it as a dangerous dog.
The city modeled the ordinance after laws in other cities around the country, Mullens said. The breeds listed are targeted because of their aggressive and dominant nature.
"I'm a dog lover," Mullens said. "I'm not doing this to ban any breeds, but common sense tells you that there are certain breeds that have a vicious streak. I've never seen a story about a collie, poodle or Sheltie killing somebody."
Failure to register a pit bull, Rottweiler, or Presa Canario can result in a fine of $500 for every day the owner does not comply with the ordinance.
In addition to the red tags, dogs classified as dangerous in the ordinance must be kept in an enclosure. When taken out of the enclosure, the ordinance states that these dogs must wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
Owners of registered dangerous dogs will also be required to post a sign with the words "Beware of Dog," obtain $100,000 worth of liability insurance, and pay to have a microchip implanted into the dog by a veterinarian.
If the ordinance is passed, owners of the dogs listed will have 60 days to obtain their permit from the city or risk paying fines. Any person wishing to buy a dog of the types listed must obtain the permit before purchasing the dog.
"The control of animals in our city is the responsibility of the owners, and the owners need to be held responsible," Councilman Ben Paul said. "It's long past due."
The ordinance passed the first reading, and is set for a second reading and public hearing at the next council meeting on September 17.
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- South Charleston City Council introduced an ordinance Thursday night regarding the regulation of dangerous dogs in city limits.
According to Mayor Frank Mullens, the ordinance has been a work in progress since the beginning of his term and will let city residents know where dangerous dogs live and who own them. The ordinance includes strict guidelines for owners of pit bulls, Rottweilers and Presa Canarios, and heavy fines if owners do not comply.
If passed, the ordinance will require all dog owners of these breeds to obtain a permit from the city. The city, in turn, will issue a red tag that must be worn on the dog's collar to identify it as a dangerous dog.
The city modeled the ordinance after laws in other cities around the country, Mullens said. The breeds listed are targeted because of their aggressive and dominant nature.
"I'm a dog lover," Mullens said. "I'm not doing this to ban any breeds, but common sense tells you that there are certain breeds that have a vicious streak. I've never seen a story about a collie, poodle or Sheltie killing somebody."
Failure to register a pit bull, Rottweiler, or Presa Canario can result in a fine of $500 for every day the owner does not comply with the ordinance.
In addition to the red tags, dogs classified as dangerous in the ordinance must be kept in an enclosure. When taken out of the enclosure, the ordinance states that these dogs must wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
Owners of registered dangerous dogs will also be required to post a sign with the words "Beware of Dog," obtain $100,000 worth of liability insurance, and pay to have a microchip implanted into the dog by a veterinarian.
If the ordinance is passed, owners of the dogs listed will have 60 days to obtain their permit from the city or risk paying fines. Any person wishing to buy a dog of the types listed must obtain the permit before purchasing the dog.
"The control of animals in our city is the responsibility of the owners, and the owners need to be held responsible," Councilman Ben Paul said. "It's long past due."
The ordinance passed the first reading, and is set for a second reading and public hearing at the next council meeting on September 17.
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- South Charleston City Council introduced an ordinance Thursday night regarding the regulation of dangerous dogs in city limits.
According to Mayor Frank Mullens, the ordinance has been a work in progress since the beginning of his term and will let city residents know where dangerous dogs live and who own them. The ordinance includes strict guidelines for owners of pit bulls, Rottweilers and Presa Canarios, and heavy fines if owners do not comply.
If passed, the ordinance will require all dog owners of these breeds to obtain a permit from the city. The city, in turn, will issue a red tag that must be worn on the dog's collar to identify it as a dangerous dog.
The city modeled the ordinance after laws in other cities around the country, Mullens said. The breeds listed are targeted because of their aggressive and dominant nature.
"I'm a dog lover," Mullens said. "I'm not doing this to ban any breeds, but common sense tells you that there are certain breeds that have a vicious streak. I've never seen a story about a collie, poodle or Sheltie killing somebody."
Failure to register a pit bull, Rottweiler, or Presa Canario can result in a fine of $500 for every day the owner does not comply with the ordinance.
In addition to the red tags, dogs classified as dangerous in the ordinance must be kept in an enclosure. When taken out of the enclosure, the ordinance states that these dogs must wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
Owners of registered dangerous dogs will also be required to post a sign with the words "Beware of Dog," obtain $100,000 worth of liability insurance, and pay to have a microchip implanted into the dog by a veterinarian.
If the ordinance is passed, owners of the dogs listed will have 60 days to obtain their permit from the city or risk paying fines. Any person wishing to buy a dog of the types listed must obtain the permit before purchasing the dog.
"The control of animals in our city is the responsibility of the owners, and the owners need to be held responsible," Councilman Ben Paul said. "It's long past due."
The ordinance passed the first reading, and is set for a second reading and public hearing at the next council meeting on September 17.
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- South Charleston City Council introduced an ordinance Thursday night regarding the regulation of dangerous dogs in city limits.
According to Mayor Frank Mullens, the ordinance has been a work in progress since the beginning of his term and will let city residents know where dangerous dogs live and who own them. The ordinance includes strict guidelines for owners of pit bulls, Rottweilers and Presa Canarios, and heavy fines if owners do not comply.
If passed, the ordinance will require all dog owners of these breeds to obtain a permit from the city. The city, in turn, will issue a red tag that must be worn on the dog's collar to identify it as a dangerous dog.
The city modeled the ordinance after laws in other cities around the country, Mullens said. The breeds listed are targeted because of their aggressive and dominant nature.
"I'm a dog lover," Mullens said. "I'm not doing this to ban any breeds, but common sense tells you that there are certain breeds that have a vicious streak. I've never seen a story about a collie, poodle or Sheltie killing somebody."
Failure to register a pit bull, Rottweiler, or Presa Canario can result in a fine of $500 for every day the owner does not comply with the ordinance.
In addition to the red tags, dogs classified as dangerous in the ordinance must be kept in an enclosure. When taken out of the enclosure, the ordinance states that these dogs must wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
Owners of registered dangerous dogs will also be required to post a sign with the words "Beware of Dog," obtain $100,000 worth of liability insurance, and pay to have a microchip implanted into the dog by a veterinarian.
If the ordinance is passed, owners of the dogs listed will have 60 days to obtain their permit from the city or risk paying fines. Any person wishing to buy a dog of the types listed must obtain the permit before purchasing the dog.
"The control of animals in our city is the responsibility of the owners, and the owners need to be held responsible," Councilman Ben Paul said. "It's long past due."
The ordinance passed the first reading, and is set for a second reading and public hearing at the next council meeting on September 17.
I look forward to learning much here