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by Janet Warner
LouisvillePetPals.com Staff

Event Column


Proposed Ordinance tolerates little "bull"

LOUISVILLE, August 21, 2006 -- “We have a Pit Bull crisis that is nation wide,” stated Louisville Metro Council woman, Cheri Bryant-Hamilton, “but not every aggressive dog is a Pit Bull.” Bryant- Hamilton presented the 8th draft of the controversial dog ordinance to the media and local pet groups on a Germantown street corner with city sanitation trucks rolling past.

The back drop for the press conference was careful chosen: the family home of a cat Click to view full-size images

 killed by an area dog that neighbors say is a persistent problem. The dog in question is a Pit Bull. The deceased cat’s family was in attendance (adorable human children in tow), as well as the neighbor who was injured trying to rescue the cat, and another neighbor whose own dog has suffered attacks by the same dog. The Pit Bull’s owner and representatives of the Louisville Kennel Club were not among the crowd. It was a well crafted event designed to illustrate and support Bryant–Hamilton’s latest attempt to satisfy the many pet groups and pet owners and to maintain public safety.

Bryant-Hamilton, 5th District Council representative, shared the following statistics: 2% of the aggressive dog attacks in the last twenty years have been Pit Bulls and currently they represent 5% of the dog population. Bryant-Hamilton recognized the Pit Bull’s historical background -- bred to fight other animals, specifically other dogs. She stressed that owners must be responsible, but even so, poorly bred and misused dogs combined with the breed’s inherent strength and determination is a recipe for disaster.

Concerning the Dog Task Force and the consequent proposed ordinance, Bryant-Hamilton concluded, “Everyone’s voice was heard, but no one got everything they wanted. Responsible pet owners have nothing to fear, but irresponsible owners will face financial and legal consequences.”

In summary, the proposed ordinance would:

  • Establish classifications of Pit Bull, potentially dangerous and dangerous dogs, the latter two categories to be determined by LMAS based upon the animal’s behavior:
    Pit Bull Dog:
    Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull, Dog Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, Presa Canario, Cane Corso and dogs with the appearance and characteristics of being predominately of the those breeds.
    Potentially Dangerous:
    unprovoked bites, scratches or bruises a person or another restrained domestic animal
    Dangerous:
    unprovoked aggressive attack resulting in serious injury or death of a person, kills domestic animals when not under restraint, used in the commission of a crime (dog-fighting, threatening or menacing or guarding unlawful activity) or declared dangerous by LMAS director
  • Enclosures for said classified potentially dangerous and dangerous dogs would require an uncovered fence at least seven feet, installed below ground level or in concrete or pavement with room for the animals to stand sit and turn around and defecate away from food and water and appropriate room for exercise. Enclosure should prevent entry by children or unauthorized persons and also prevent the ability of appendages (hands or limbs) to be put through said enclosure. It must be proper shelter from the weather and a “Dangerous dog” sign must be posted.
  • Restraints for unaltered Pit Bulls, potentially dangerous and dangerous dogs requires a muzzle when off owner premises, outside of approved enclosures these dogs should be in a secure cage, chained, leashed, muzzled and under control for a person physically able to restrain the dog. A lead or leash for an unaltered Pit Bull cannot be any longer than 4 feet long.
  • Owners of unaltered Pit Bulls are required to furnish the name and address of the owner or person in possession and the location where that dog will be housed.
  • Unaltered Pit Bulls must have a microchip inserted by LMAS or a vet.
  • Unaltered Pit Bull owners must have third party liability coverage of no less than $100,000
  • Owners of unaltered Pit Bulls must submit within 30 days of licensing, a certificate or other written evidence that they have attended approved instruction about the welfare, control and socialization of Pit Bulls.
  • LMAS must be notified if the unaltered Pit Bull’s registered location changes for more than 3 days. Change in possession or ownership of the dog must be immediately registered with LMAS.
  • Requires that lost, stolen or escaped unaltered Pit Bulls must be reported to LMAS immediately.
  • Introduces a new license fee schedule raising the rate for an altered pet from $7 to $9, an unaltered pet will cost $45 and an unaltered Pit Bull will cost $100.
  • Multiple pet households with more than 6 animals will receive a discount with licenses at $35 each.
  • Animals visiting the municipality for purposes of showing and breeding (a period not to exceed 30 days) will not require a local license but proof of current rabies vaccination.
An online version of the complete proposed ordinance is available at:

http://www.naiatrust.org/PDF/Louisville_Ordinance_8th_draft.pdf

Following the press conference, members of the various pet groups and concerned residents of the Germantown neighborhood shared their opinions about the proposed ordinance. “I’m not necessarily satisfied as a Pit Bull owner, but it does punish the bad owners,” stated Pit Bull enthusiast Lydia Laytham, who concedes that the breed is not for the faint of heart and requires an experienced and educated dog owner.

Gary Perry lives next door to the Pit Bull involved in the incident showcased for the press conference. His dog has been attacked by that same dog twice despite the owner’s promises to absolutely prevent her dog from jumping the fence. The last attack in June was almost fatal and cost Perry $400 to save his animal’s life. “If you want a dog to protect your home, there are a lot of other dogs that can do the job.”

Aaron Hutchins, a local filmmaker and the man who received injuries attempting to save his neighbor’s cat from the dog, doubts the owners are concerned with protecting their property, but are training the dog for something else. “I’ve watched them use the older dog to train the puppy to kill.” When confronted about the cat killing and how easily it could have been the neighbor’s child, Hutchins reports the dog owner replied that the couple should watch their children better. Hutchins is contemplating moving from the neighborhood because of the commonplace occurrence of loose dogs. “You see these guys running through the neighborhood trying to catch these dogs with broken chains trailing behind them. They are ravenous because they are in training to fight.” Hutchins is planning a documentary about the situation, entitled The Monsters among Us. “It’s not about the dogs,” said Hutchins, “It’s about the owners.”

Copyright 2006 LouisvillePetPals.com