Council approves 'dangerous dog' rules (Waterloo, IA)

Tuesday, March 4, 2008 12:09 PM CST
Council approves 'dangerous dog' rules
By TIM JAMISON, Courier Staff Writer

WATERLOO --- Naughty dogs are now on a shorter leash.

Waterloo City Council members voted 6-1 Monday to approve a new ordinance defining "potentially dangerous dogs," which will be subject to additional registration fees and proof of liability insurance for their owners.

Councilman Steve Schmitt voted against the final reading of the ordinance, saying the council was in a "rush to judgment" without seeking the input of veterinarians or dog trainers.

There were no objections to the ordinance lodged by the public. But resident Russell Morrison, who owns a terrier, was on hand to make sure the new rules didn't single out a particular breed for additional enforcement.

"I want to commend the council on passing a fair animal ownership act," Morrison said.

The ordinance, which takes effect after its official publication, deems a dog "potentially dangerous" if it causes injury to a person or domestic animal or is found running at large if its owner has been cited by Cedar Bend Animal Control three or more times within a 12-month period.

It excludes dogs used by law enforcement or incidents where the injured person was trespassing; where the victim was committing or attempting to commit a crime on the dog owner's property; where the victim was abusing, torturing or assaulting the animal without justification; when the dog bit while being treated for an injury; or when a domestic animal that was at large entered the area where the dog was confined.

If a dog is deemed potentially dangerous, its owner has to register it with the city, pay a $50 registration fee, provide proof of at least $300,000 in liability insurance to cover injuries caused by the dog and be affixed with a permanent registration number. The ordinance makes it easier to destroy those dogs or ban them from the city if they commit future offenses.

Contact Tim Jamison at (319) 291-1577 or tim.jamison@wcfcourier.com.
http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2008/03/04/news/metro/10172510.txt