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PAGE TWO <br />Pit Bulls and Rotweilers. This ordinance, in my opinion, stretches the <br />law as far as possible within the legal decisions that we have available <br />to us. It appears to be quite workable, and is quite protective of our <br />citizenry. <br />Section 505.11(a) categorizes dangerous dogs as well as "vicious" <br />dogs, and goes as far as to identify vicious dogs not only by past <br />actions such as aggressive behavior towards people or other doKjs, but <br />also identifies "vicious dog" as a breed commonly known as a"Pit Bull <br />Dog". It is this type of language that could cause difficulties in the <br />enforcement of our ordinance, but if it is going to have difficulty, I <br />see no problem amending it to include "Rotweilers" within this <br />definition. <br />The ordinance as it currently exists goes on to establish certain <br />safety precautions for "vicious dogs". These include a closed and <br />locked pen, which has a top, and while off premises the dog is required <br />to be on a specified type of leash, or have a muzzle, or locked pen with <br />a top. Subparagraph (c) also requires that the owner or keeper of a <br />vicious dog must keep an extra liability insurance policy of not less <br />than $50,000.00 for potential bodily injury or damage caused by a <br />vicious dog. <br />The penalty under our existing code is quite severe involving <br />felonies of the fourth degree, and misdemeanors of the first degree, <br />depending on the type of violation of this ordinance. <br />To summarize, it is my opinion that our existing ordinance is quite <br />sufficient for the protection of our citizenry, within the existing <br />legal boundaries that we are aware of; in the alternative, the <br />definition of vicious dog could be extended to include more than "Pit <br />Bull"; or, if you are willing to tread new legal territory, we could <br />prohibit outright the existence of Pit Bulls or Rotweilers within the <br />Villace once you have completed and obtained a study identifying <br />breeding traits or some characteristics that can separate a Pit Bull and <br />Rotweiler from other dogs. <br />I will await your further instructions <br />:r,r tz-u Y,yours, <br />70?? _ <br />Director of <br />- ?.. <br />JWD:nmp <br />cc: Mayor Rinker <br />Ordinance Review Committee