Supervisors pass stronger vicious animal ordinance
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
By VETO F. ROLEY
The Mississippi Press
PASCAGOULA -- A new ordinance designed to control vicious animals beg the
difference between pit bull terriers and Staffordshire terriers.
According to the ordinance passed Monday by the Jackson County Board of
Supervisors, a vicious animal is one that constitutes a threat to human
beings or other animals.
The law, which goes into effect Oct. 30, also defines a vicious dog as one
that attacks a human without provocation, or kills or injures a domestic
animal or livestock, when not on the dog owner's property. The law would
also target a dog that is raised for dog fighting, or a dog that shows a
tendency or disposition to attack a human being.
"We don't want someone arguing that a dog is not a pit bull or if a pit bull
is a breed," county attorney Gary Adams said.
Bill Richman, director of the Jackson County Animal Shelter in Gautier, said
the new ordinance gives a more specific definition of a vicious animal,
which does not have to be a dog. He also said the ordinance spells out how
the county can identify a vicious animal and what happens after a vicious
animal is identified.
The ordinance excludes attacks by injured dogs, attacks by dogs to defend
property or life, and police dogs from being classified as vicious dogs or
acts that would lead to a dog being called a vicious dog.
The ordinance requires that vicious animals be confined to the owner's
property in a "locked pen or structure suitable to prevent the entry of
children and designed to prevent the dog or other animal from escaping.
Also, the ordinance requires that signs be placed on the property to warn
others about the animal.
Owners of vicious animals are also required to carry $100,000 personal
liability insurance.
The ordinance provides an appeals process for owners whose animals have been
identified as vicious. According to the ordinance, owners can appeal to the
Board of Supervisors within 30 days of the determination.
Richman said the ordinance increases the penalty for violating the ordinance
from a maximum fine of $50 to a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in
jail.
Richman said that animal control officers will receive the same training as
Sheriff's Reserve officers and have the authority to write citations.
"We will only be working animal control matters," Richman said. "But, it
gives us a little more authority."
Reporter Veto F. Roley can be reached at vroley@themississippipress.com or
(228) 934-1427.