Junction City Police Chief Merle Baldwin explains to the City Council several residents have requested an ordinance regarding vicious dogs. (Mandy Simpson/msimpson@amnews.com) |
JUNCTION CITY — Junction City Police Chief Merle Baldwin gave the City Council an idea to sink its teeth into at Tuesday's meeting — a possible vicious dog ordinance.
Baldwin explained several residents have asked for the city to consider such a measure, which could issue harsher punishments to dogs that attack and/or ban residents from owning certain canine breeds. He and Councilman Lloyd Bowling agreed to study the issue and bring their findings before the council at a later date.
"We've had our fair share this summer of dog complaints, but that's any summer," Baldwin said. "People come to me and speak, and I tell them I will broadcast it to the City Council, and it's up to you guys."
This summer, between five to 10 residents have called about threatening dogs and a possible vicious dog ordinance, which could prevent ownership of certain breeds, often including pit bulls, Rottweilers and German shepherds, he said.
No canines have caused major problems this year, but Baldwin said Boyle County's animal control division has had to put down uncontrollable, threatening dogs in previous years.
"We would all feel terrible if a child, or an adult for that matter, got hurt or mauled or killed, and we could have done something to curtail it," he said.
But Councilman Kenny Baldwin noted that all breeds can be dangerous and voiced dissatisfaction with an ordinance that would dictate which dogs citizens can own.
"I've seen Jack Russells do as much damage, if not more, than a pit bull," he said.
Boyle County currently has an ordinance prohibiting dogs to "run at large" in any area other than the owner's property unless accompanied by the owner or caretaker, and violators face fines from $10 to $25 for each offense. But the county has no measures limiting the breed of dog residents can own.
Garrard County, however, adopted an ordinance in fall 2009 that set stricter rules for vicious animals. The ordinance originally included some language that targeted pit bulls, but the Fiscal Court ultimately decided to set penalties based solely on behavior, not breed.
Baldwin said he and Bowling will research ordinances in other cities before the council makes any decisions.
"I don't know the answer to this,”¿Baldwin said. “I'm just voicing the concerns of our citizens."
Baldwin explained several residents have asked for the city to consider such a measure, which could issue harsher punishments to dogs that attack and/or ban residents from owning certain canine breeds. He and Councilman Lloyd Bowling agreed to study the issue and bring their findings before the council at a later date.
"We've had our fair share this summer of dog complaints, but that's any summer," Baldwin said. "People come to me and speak, and I tell them I will broadcast it to the City Council, and it's up to you guys."
This summer, between five to 10 residents have called about threatening dogs and a possible vicious dog ordinance, which could prevent ownership of certain breeds, often including pit bulls, Rottweilers and German shepherds, he said.
No canines have caused major problems this year, but Baldwin said Boyle County's animal control division has had to put down uncontrollable, threatening dogs in previous years.
"We would all feel terrible if a child, or an adult for that matter, got hurt or mauled or killed, and we could have done something to curtail it," he said.
But Councilman Kenny Baldwin noted that all breeds can be dangerous and voiced dissatisfaction with an ordinance that would dictate which dogs citizens can own.
"I've seen Jack Russells do as much damage, if not more, than a pit bull," he said.
Boyle County currently has an ordinance prohibiting dogs to "run at large" in any area other than the owner's property unless accompanied by the owner or caretaker, and violators face fines from $10 to $25 for each offense. But the county has no measures limiting the breed of dog residents can own.
Garrard County, however, adopted an ordinance in fall 2009 that set stricter rules for vicious animals. The ordinance originally included some language that targeted pit bulls, but the Fiscal Court ultimately decided to set penalties based solely on behavior, not breed.
Baldwin said he and Bowling will research ordinances in other cities before the council makes any decisions.
"I don't know the answer to this,”¿Baldwin said. “I'm just voicing the concerns of our citizens."
