Published: June 01, 2008 11:23 pm      

Dangerous dogs?

Worthington man concerned about council proposal

Worthington — Jim Rice of Worthington simply shakes his head and sighs as he talks about recent dog-related discussions by city officials.

“It just smacks of the now commonplace attitude of ‘If I don’t like it, I’m not going to let you do it,’” he said after speaking to Worthington’s mayor and city council members during their most recent meeting.

During that meeting, first reading was given a proposed dog law that includes breed-specific references identifying pit bulls and Rottweilers as potentially dangerous breeds.

As the owner of a 3-year-old pedigreed Rottweiler named Dieter Schluter Von Whitedheim, Rice said he has distinct concerns about the city’s proposal. He understands many are frightened by large dogs, or particular breeds of canine, which is why he has two lines of fencing including a 5-foot-high backyard perimeter “to prevent him from scaring walkers.”

“We’ve had him since he was 7 weeks old and we made a point to socialize him,” Rice said, explaining the dog has been introduced to children and older people alike with no difficulties. “I don’t want him biting anybody. I know he is not going to but I don’t want any problems.”

Rice said there are many dogs that roam freely around the city, but he is not aware of any problems caused by those animals.

“I would like to see them drop this altogether and enforce the existing ordinance,” he said, adding the city’s animal control officer has not been present for any of the public meetings that involved discussion of the city’s proposed dog control law.

As proposed, Rice said, the city’s dog law could end up causing unexpected expenses if dog owners force the municipality to prove an animal has pit bull lineage.

“It’s going to be up to the city to prove what it is. They are going to squander more money trying to defend that,” he said.

“I object to anything that is breed specific in terminology or legislation.”

He pointed out the “Our Gang” dog Petey was a pit bull, and President Teddy Roosevelt also kept a bull terrier named Pete in the White House during his administration.

Specific fears of particular breeds is nothing new, Rice said, producing a list of dogs that have been considered “dangerous” at different times. Those include Dobermans, Dalmatians, Boxers and chows, as well as Alaskan Malamutes and Huskies.

Rice said he wants to encourage city residents to attend the council’s June 9 meeting to let elected officials know how they feel about the proposed dog law.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.