The Lucas County Dog Warden Citizen’s Advisory Committee has proposed a new ordinancewhich would expand regulations on dogs and their owners. According to the chairman of the advisory committee, the goals of the proposed ordinance are to reduce dog bites by half, eliminate euthanasia based on dog breed, and penalize “irresponsible dog owners.”Â
The proposed ordinance includes:Â
- a 15-minute limit for chaining a dog outside unsupervised
- a prohibtion against chaining a dog within 500 feet of a school.
- An escalating scale of fines for unprovoked dog bites. Penalties would rise from $150 to $500 to $1,000, and could include mandatory pet ownership classes or community service with an animal welfare organization.
- New “level one” and “level two” threat classifications for dogs.
- Restrictions against leaving a dog unattended for more than 24 hours.
- Mandatory spay or neuter surgery at the owner’s expense for dogs caught running at large more than once.
- The ability to seize the dogs of owners deemed reckless.
The proposed ordinance is the most recent attempt by the City to curb dog-related violence. A previous ordinance, which placed restrictions on “pit bulls” and “pit bull” mixes was declared unconstitutional by the Toledo Municipal Court in January. The proposed ordinance would required approval from the Toledo City Council to become law.
What do you think of the proposed ordinance? Do you know of anyone who has been bitten by a dog?