| South Sioux City Considers Changing Pet Policy |
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After a six year old boy was mauled by three pit bulls last month, officials want to toughen up it's pet policy. They're man's best friends. But, sometimes dogs are dangerous. Last month, six year old Michael Lowmeli was attacked by three pit bulls, while riding his bike near his South Sioux City home. While he's on the mend, the neighborhood hasn't forgotten. Carolyn Frizzell, a resident, says "There's a lot of children here. A lot of children. And I could just see it in my mind. It bothered me so much. That one of them would get attacked. And it did eventually happen." Right now, the city takes action after a dog has bitten, or attempted to bite, someone. City Administrator Lance Hedquist decides if the owner will have to cage in their pet or if it'll be euthanized. City leaders now want to tighten up their pet ordinance... to prevent another tragedy from happening. One idea.... not to allow certain breeds of dogs within city within." Lance Hedquist, City Manager, says "Pit bulls come up a lot. And should we ban all pit bulls from the city. And that's an option they have." Council member Merrill Hale doesn't support a breed based ordinance. He'd rather put a leash on pet owners. Merrill Hale, South Sioux City Council Member, says "It's not the dog. It's the owner." City leaders are now researching city and state laws regarding viscous animals. "We're trying to see what other places across the country have done," says Hedquist. Some require dangerous dog owners to take out extra insurance, others require registration. The goal is to identify dogs that could lash out. Hedquist says "People should feel free to walk down the streets, ride their bicycles down the streets and not worry about being attacked by any animal." A feeling of safety that this neighborhood lost weeks ago. Council will begin discussing a change to city code as early as its next meeting Monday night. http://www.ktiv.com/News/index.php?ID=17919 |
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