City unleashes dog ordinance

Tim Preston/The Independent

Worthington June 10, 2008 11:15 pm

— Within a few weeks Rottweilers, chow chows and variations of the bull terrier will officially be unwelcome in Worthington.
Dog talk in Worthington has raised a few hackles in the past few weeks. City council members voted unanimously to approve an amended version of an animal control ordinance early Monday evening, angering some and appeasing others. Roger Walker, whose family has recently been frustrated with a threat from aggressive dogs, stood in the back of the council meeting room and rooted for the new animal control ordinance, while dog owner James Rice questioned specifics of the proposal and expressed his frustrations with the plan.
“No one in attendance of this council meeting is a recognized authority of canine behavior. This point is driven home by the mean-spirited proposal that has been placed before you,” said Rice, who owns a pedigreed Rottweiler.
Rice said he was most opposed to “breed specific” language included in the city ordinance, as well as the fine of up to $500, and encouraged council members to simply enforce the city’s existing animal control measures.
As adopted, the ordinance prohibits city residents from owning any dog defined as “vicious” according to Kentucky law, and requires owners of “potentially vicious dogs,” including specific canine breeds, to be registered with the city. Vicious dogs include any dog in the city “that has attacked or attempted to attack a human being or other domestic animal without provocation” and “any dog with a known propensity or tendency, or disposition to attack unprovoked” a human being or domestic animal, or cause injury to property.
Potentially vicious dogs are defined as the bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire, Rottweiler, chow chow, mixed-breed dogs known as pit bulls and “any dog which has the appearance and/or characteristics of being predominantly of any of the breeds of dogs listed above or a combination of any of those.”
People who register potentially vicious dogs with the city must provide two color photos of the animal and comply with fencing and leash requirements.
After reading the revised version of the ordinance as approved by the city, Rice said he has become increasingly inflamed and plans to consult with a national organization to determine if the city’s new rules are legal.
“All dogs regardless of breed are potentially vicious,” Rice said, adding his interpretation of the ordinance “reads that when my dog is in the house, all doors and windows must be closed, screen doors and screened windows not acceptable, and when outside must be in a locked cage or on a leash.”
Worthington’s new animal control ordinance will become effective after publication within the next few weeks. Animal owners who live within the city will have 30 days to comply with the ordinance.
TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.