Tougher  vicious  dog law  coming

One new rule will  require owners of such canines to register the animal with police.

Man, 68, drowns at Caesar Creek Lake
5/26/12
Water rescues prompt warning from health officials
5/25/12
Beach Waterpark sued for failure to deliver
5/25/12
Raleigh Trammell’s defense opens in felony trial
5/25/12
UD to move satellite campus to Dublin
5/25/12
> More headlines

By Kristin McAllister, Staff Writer 11:57 AM Wednesday, March 9, 2011

MIAMISBURG — To better track the status of dangerous or vicious dogs, Miamisburg is drafting tougher regulations, including one that forces  owners to prove they have $100,000 in insurance coverage.

Current regulations define a dangerous dog as any that has without provocation approached a person in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack or has attempted to bite someone while off its owner’s premises.

A vicious dog is defined as one that has attacked or killed a person or animal. Pit bull terriers are named to the vicious dog identification.

Among the current regulations, owners of dangerous or vicious dogs are required to have at least $100,000 in insurance coverage.

If called to the residence where a vicious or dangerous dog lives, police can cite the dog owner with a misdemeanor if they do not have insurance coverage. However, there is little in place to keep track of the dog, said Chris Fine, Miamisburg acting economic development director. “It doesn’t happen often, but we want to create a system to track it as best as we can,” he said.

He said current law does not require owners to register their dogs with police. Dogs are labeled vicious or dangerous only if there is a service call involving the dog.

Under the proposed modifications, police would serve an owner written notice that requires the owner to submit to police within 30 days two color photos of their dog and proof of insurance.

If the owner of the dangerous or vicious dog decides to no longer keep the dog, either through euthanasia or by giving it to a new owner, written notice detailing the dog’s new location or its death must be submitted to police within 10 days.

The proposed modifications would require a beware of dog sign be posted on the premises where such a canine resides.

And because vicious dogs may be ordered destroyed by a court, the new regulations would include a due process provision to allow an owner to appeal his or her dog’s determination as a vicious animal.

City council is expected to vote March 15 on the proposed modifications.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-9338

Share this article