Vicki
Administrator
Commission going to the dogs
By KALEY CONNER
kconner@dailynews.net
Pit bulls still might be allowed within city limits, but owners soon could face stricter restrictions for keeping the particular breed.
When the Hays City Commission meets for a work session at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, it will consider an amended dog ordinance that automatically classifies pit bulls as “dangerous.”
“It’s not a ban,” City Manager Toby Dougherty said. “The commission was reluctant to enact a ban the last time they discussed it, but they did recognize that there was a need for possibly some further regulations other than what we have right now.”
This distinction would require pit bull owners to take additional precautions, such as providing the dog with an identification microchip, keeping the animals in secure confinement areas, and strict leash and muzzle requirements. Owners would be required to obtain public liability insurance in a single incident amount of at least $100,000.
If these guidelines are not adhered to, the dog could be subject to immediate seizure and impoundment. The owner could be fined or lose the license required to keep the pet in town.
Currently, dogs can be deemed “dangerous” only in court, usually following a biting incident or behavior issue. Dogs with a known propensity to attack or those trained for dog fighting also fall into this category.
This standard still would apply, but pit bulls would be the first breed automatically deemed dangerous. The ordinance lists several breeds of dogs commonly identified as a pit bull.
Another amendment would impose stricter penalties for pet owners who fail to register their animals annually by March 1. The delinquency fine would increase from $1 to $10 per month, with a maximum $50 fine.
The issue of regulating pit bulls in city limits surfaced in April after a pit bull attacked and killed a smaller dog, which was on a walk with its 10-year-old owner.
The proposed ordinance: http://assets.mediaspanonline.com/prod/3506971/pitbullrdinance.pdf
Dangerous dog means:
5) Any “Pit Bull Dog” which is defined as any and all of the following dogs:
a) The Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed of dog;
b) The American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog;
c) The American Pit Bull Terrier breed of dog;
d) Any other breed commonly known as Pit Bull, Pit Bull Dog, or Pit Bull Terrier;
e) Dogs which have the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the breed of dogs known as Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier.
The Hays Daily News
*****
Posted on November 5, 2009 by stopbsl.com
Hays City Commission meets to discuss the proposed ordinance (below) tonight, 11/5, at 6:30 PM.
Previous alerts for Hays City: http://stopbsl.com/?s=hays+city
City Manager’s Office, P.O. Box 490, Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 628-7320
Fax: (785) 628-7323
Ron Mellick, Mayor of Hays
rdcc@swbell.net
Christopher Channell, Vice Mayor
cchannell@media-net.net
Barbara K. Wasinger
barbwasinger@ruraltel.net
Troy Hickman
troy.hickman@hotmail.com
Henry Schwaller IV
hschwaller4@yahoo.com
By KALEY CONNER
kconner@dailynews.net
Pit bulls still might be allowed within city limits, but owners soon could face stricter restrictions for keeping the particular breed.
When the Hays City Commission meets for a work session at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, it will consider an amended dog ordinance that automatically classifies pit bulls as “dangerous.”
“It’s not a ban,” City Manager Toby Dougherty said. “The commission was reluctant to enact a ban the last time they discussed it, but they did recognize that there was a need for possibly some further regulations other than what we have right now.”
This distinction would require pit bull owners to take additional precautions, such as providing the dog with an identification microchip, keeping the animals in secure confinement areas, and strict leash and muzzle requirements. Owners would be required to obtain public liability insurance in a single incident amount of at least $100,000.
If these guidelines are not adhered to, the dog could be subject to immediate seizure and impoundment. The owner could be fined or lose the license required to keep the pet in town.
Currently, dogs can be deemed “dangerous” only in court, usually following a biting incident or behavior issue. Dogs with a known propensity to attack or those trained for dog fighting also fall into this category.
This standard still would apply, but pit bulls would be the first breed automatically deemed dangerous. The ordinance lists several breeds of dogs commonly identified as a pit bull.
Another amendment would impose stricter penalties for pet owners who fail to register their animals annually by March 1. The delinquency fine would increase from $1 to $10 per month, with a maximum $50 fine.
The issue of regulating pit bulls in city limits surfaced in April after a pit bull attacked and killed a smaller dog, which was on a walk with its 10-year-old owner.
The proposed ordinance: http://assets.mediaspanonline.com/prod/3506971/pitbullrdinance.pdf
Dangerous dog means:
5) Any “Pit Bull Dog” which is defined as any and all of the following dogs:
a) The Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed of dog;
b) The American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog;
c) The American Pit Bull Terrier breed of dog;
d) Any other breed commonly known as Pit Bull, Pit Bull Dog, or Pit Bull Terrier;
e) Dogs which have the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the breed of dogs known as Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier.
The Hays Daily News
*****
Posted on November 5, 2009 by stopbsl.com
Hays City Commission meets to discuss the proposed ordinance (below) tonight, 11/5, at 6:30 PM.
Previous alerts for Hays City: http://stopbsl.com/?s=hays+city
City Manager’s Office, P.O. Box 490, Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 628-7320
Fax: (785) 628-7323
Ron Mellick, Mayor of Hays
rdcc@swbell.net
Christopher Channell, Vice Mayor
cchannell@media-net.net
Barbara K. Wasinger
barbwasinger@ruraltel.net
Troy Hickman
troy.hickman@hotmail.com
Henry Schwaller IV
hschwaller4@yahoo.com