Number
010558
Version
SUBSTITUTE 4
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. HERRON, CAMERON AND RICHARDS
Title
A substitute ordinance relating to control of pit bull and rottweiler dogs.
Sections
60-5-1 am
78-1-21 rn
78-1-21 cr
78-1-22 rn
78-1-23 cr
78-22 cr
78-23-2 am
78-31-5 cr
78-55-6-a am
Analysis
This ordinance:
1. Increases the repossession fee for an impounded animal from $15 to $20.
2. Creates leash, fencing and training standards for owners of pit bull and rottweiler dogs.
3. Imposes a penalty for owners or caretakers of "at large" pit bulls and rottweilers ranging from $50 to $500, compared to a penalty ranging from $25 to $250 for all other "at large" animals.
4. Requires that individuals holding the leashes of dangerous dogs be at least 16 years of age.
5. Prohibits animal fighting, with a penalty ranging from $50 to $500.
Body
Whereas, Pit-bull type and rottweiler breeds of dogs, as reported in the September 15, 2000 issue of JAVMA: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, accounted for 67% of human deaths due to dog bites in the United States between 1997 and 1998; and
Whereas, This article also notes that male dogs are 6.2 times more likely to bite than female dogs, sexually intact dogs are 2.6 times more likely to bite than neutered dogs, and chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite than unchained dogs; and
Whereas, This article further notes that from 1979 through 1998, 24% of human deaths from dog bites were caused by dogs roaming off the owners' property; and
Whereas, An article in the January 7, 1998, issue of JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association estimates that about 800,000 dog bites occur annually that require medical attention, with 333,687 of those treated in an emergency room at an average payment to the hospital of $274 and a national total of $102.4 million; and
Whereas, Children and adolescents younger than 20 years of age accounted for over half of these emergency-room payments, with over 50% of t...
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