Some dog breeds to be muzzled

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 10:50 AM PST

Larry Meyer | Argus Observer

VALE

A new county dog ordinance scheduled for next year will require owners of “restricted breeds of dogs” to place the animals in secure enclosures when at home and to use muzzles when they take the canines off their property.

The new mandate takes effect 91 days after the ordinance was passed - in this case sometime in March. The ordinance was approved by the County Court Dec. 13.

The breeds included in the ordinance are: the American Pit Bull Terrier; American Staffordshire Terrier; Staffordshire Bull Terrier; American Bulldog; Dogo Argentino; Canary Dog; Pesa Mallorquin; Tosa, Cane Corsa and Brazilian Mastiff; or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one or more of the above breeds. When outside - when on an owner's property - a restricted breed of dog must be in a secure pen, kennel or enclosure and cannot be kept on a porch, patio or anywhere a dog would be free to exit on its own. Being leashed or chained does not meet the requirement of being secured.

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Restricted dogs must be muzzled and securely leashed when they are off the owner's property for exercise, and they must be put in a secure temporary closure when transported in an open area of a truck or other vehicle. The ordinance requires that the dogs be vaccinated for rabies as well as spayed or neutered. The ordinance was passed after a second public hearing during which only one person testified and her statement was against the measure.

“As a representative of Second Chance, I'd like to state our opposition to any type of breed specific legislation. We do support a vicious dog ordinance but we do not support any breed specific legislation,” Barbara Hutchinson, Second Chance Animal Shelter, said at the Dec. 13 public hearing on the ordinance in Vale. Hutchinson also said the proposed ordinance would punish owners of entirely friendly, properly supervised and well-socialized dogs who have done nothing. Stephanie Williams, county counsel, said the Centers for Disease Control does list 12 breeds as being dangerous, and noted that if neighboring jurisdictions in Idaho have similar ordinances, it is necessary to have one in Malheur County.