Alexandria La. takes on Vicious Dog Ordnance

Unforutnatly they have hit us here as well http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/search?category=search

 

Well since the link won't work here ya go



The Alexandria City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to enact stiff laws on the city's vicious dogs, approving fines and even jail time for unlicensed pit bull dog breeders and other code violators. Police Chief Daren Coutee, city animal shelter Superintendent Henry Wimbley and others pushed for the ordinance, claiming the welfare of city employees and residents is at stake. This is an attempt to deal with a big problem for a number of people in this city," said City Attorney Kelvin Sanders. The ordinance requires proof of liability insurance of $200,000 for a license or license renewal for a dog deemed vicious.



Wimbley also received assurances the city would add personnel to his staff, which consists now of him and two other control officers.

The law, Sanders said, was designed partly to combat backyard breeding operations not sanctioned by having a license to breed, those owners who attempt to "fly under the radar."

John Williams, who said he's a licensed breeder, wanted more of a definition of what constitutes a "vicious dog," because "any dog with teeth will bite."

Sanders referred to the six paragraphs written into city code that defines a vicious dog.

The ordinance also outlines control of dangerous dogs, and what the owner must do, such as giving city police proof of liability insurance, having an identification "chip" implanted under the dog's skin, and clear signs in a yard understandable to even children warning they could be hurt.

Coutee said he pushed for the law also to stop breeders who sell mostly pit bull dogs for fighting, which is outlawed in Louisiana but flourishes still.

Also, if police or animal control officers pick up a dog they consider dangerous, they'll make an effort to locate the owner. If the owner cannot be found, the dog will be euthanized after three days.

Owners of any type of dog, if it attacks a human or another animal, must report the incident to city police within 24 hours. The report must contain a host of facts, including "the date on which the dog was last vaccinated against rabies," according to the ordinance.

Becky Green, who attended Tuesday's meeting and represented Protective Animal Welfare Society, said that except for the ordinance's first page, it follows almost word for word a 2003 draft law PAWS gave to local governments.

"We appreciate that," said council President Charles F. Smith Jr. "We'll give y'all the credit."





Originally published June 21, 2006

 

and we go on....

Ten years ago, city police officers started to see an increase in the ownership and breeding of dogs that can hurt, maim or kill people, Alexandria Police Chief Daren Coutee said. "Suddenly, people decided to start owning pit bulls," Coutee said, and now drug dealers own them or other breeds to guard against police searches.

Meter readers, delivery truck drivers and others who make a living by visiting residences also are in danger. Earlier this month, city workers trying to catch residents stealing utilities had trouble approaching one home. "They had dogs tied up to the gas meter," Coutee said.



To help combat the problem, the City Council today is set to pass an ordinance that sets fines of $250 to $500 and possible jail time for breaking any part of the comprehensive code, such as keeping more than five "vicious dogs" in a back yard, or selling the breed without a license.

The proposed ordinance also defines what a vicious dog is, and singles out variations of pit bull dogs. The city, the draft states, has "an irrefutable presumption" that they are "a dangerous dog."

It also describes the size of a fence needed to keep a child or adult from being bitten, and sets out the requirements of registering a vicious dog, one of which is securing at least $200,000 in liability insurance.

Any dog that bites someone or another animal is presumed dangerous, the draft law states.

Child bitten

It's not just drug dealers who own dogs that can be harmful, said Henry Wimbley, superintendent of the Alexandria Animal Shelter.



A 3-year-old child in a Garden District home on June 5 was bitten when his father left the boy in the room with a pit bull dog that belonged to a relative. The child almost lost an eye, Wimbley said.

Even dogs deemed friendly and kept as pets can harm the unsuspecting.

"People are surprised when they bite people," Wimbley said. "That's what they do."

In a cage at the animal shelter is a mixed-breed dog that's part pit bull. This past week, he was picked up in the 1000 block of Texas Avenue after he bit a pedestrian, a woman who didn't suspect he'd attack.

"He doesn't have a name, and no one's claimed him," Wimbley said. The dog probably will be euthanized, he said.

Since January, animal control has recorded 23 dog bites in Alexandria, Wimbley said, "and those are ones that are reported."





Originally published June 20, 2006

 

Can anyone help me here how do I go about getting this lifted or stop it from going any further. I live out side of the city limits so it doesn't effect me...yet. Is it possible to stop this for going futher....Proud Pit Owner in need of advice
Thankz
Flip

 

How do they honestly know when a dog is "viscious"


EDIT: Petion Petion Petion. Go to your city hall and see how many signatures you need. Find all of your pit owners in and around your city as well

 

Thank NC all advice helps and as you said in surrounding areas right now my main concern is I live out of city limits but I don't need this thing going parish wide. I'm gonna get on the petition asap and most likey get one going online.
Thanks again
Flip