Tuesday, March 24th, 2015
St. Marys moves toward enacting new dangerous dog law
By Jared Mauch
ST. MARYS - Pit bulls would no longer be singled out from all other breeds under an ordinance introduced at Monday's city council meeting.
Pit bull owners had vehemently objected to previous rules passed in December that specifically targeted the breed.
"Essentially we are now just dealing with dangerous dogs," law director Kraig Noble said.
A dog that chases or menaces people or pets or has attempted to bite or otherwise endanger any person would be classified as dangerous if the ordinance is adopted. Owners of dangerous dogs would be notified of their pet's designation and ordered to keep the dog securely confined.
People walking dangerous dogs would have to be at least 18 years old and keep the animal muzzled and on a leash no longer than six feet long. No other dogs could be kept in a residence housing a dangerous dog, and the animal could not be bred.
A dog owner could be issued a third-degree misdemeanor, carrying a fine up to $500 and a maximum of 60 days in jail, for violating any of the rules; a second violation within a year would result in a fine up to $750 and a maximum oft 90 days in jail. Owners of dogs that injure a person or animal would face a first-degree misdemeanor charge, punishable by a maximum fine of $1,000 and up to 180 days in jail. The ordinance would allow such a dog to be humanely destroyed by a licensed veterinarian, dog warden or the Humane Society.
The service and safety director, police chief or other designee could label a dog as dangerous under the proposal.
Also Monday, council,
• approved purchasing six electric transformers for $127,700 from Solomon Corp., Solomon, Kan.
• heard second reading of an ordinance for rezoning 1.767 acres of land on the corner of Pine and South streets.
A public hearing will take place at 6:45 p.m. April 13 pertaining to the rezoning.
• approved a resolution of appreciation to Wright State-Lake campus Dean Bonnie Mathies for her work at the campus. She will retire at the end of the school year this spring.
• approved a resolution of sympathy to the family of Paul Kessler. Kessler, who died March 9, was responsible for the housing growth in the city after World War II, Noble said.
"He developed hundreds of homes here in St. Marys, and really had an impact on the city and development of the city," he said.
• Entered into executive session to discuss possible land acquisition. No action took place.
