ROGERS -- One and done: That's the philosophy of the proposed policy
regarding vicious dogs in Rogers.
If a dog bites someone and is determined to be vicious, either put it
down or move it outside the city limits, said Ben Lipscomb, city
attorney.
The Rogers City Council will consider an ordinance Tuesday that changes
the way the city deals with vicious dogs. According to the proposed
ordinance, vicious dogs will not be allowed within the city limits. A
judge would decide whether a dog was provoked, said Lipscomb.
The proposed ordinance states, if convicted of possessing a vicious dog,
the owner will have 30 days to either euthanize the dog or remove the
dog from the city limits.
A current ordinance states that vicious dogs must be kept in an
enclosure, and the owner must carry liability insurance on the animal.
The impetus for the change occurred July 4 when a family's pit bull
attacked its 3-year-old girl, Lipscomb said.
An elderly woman was also attacked earlier this year by a dog, said Rhonda
DiBasilio, animal services manager at the Rogers Animal Shelter.
The request for the ordinance change came from DiBasilio, who said there has
been an increase in number of dog bites recently and it's time to get the
problem under control.
MEETING INFORMATION
Rogers City Council
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
Where: City Hall, 301 W. Chestnut St.
The meeting will take place in the City Council chambers; enter in the door
on the northeast side of the building.