Payette officials OK pit bull edict
By Larry Hurrle - Argus Observer
Wednesday, April 18, 2007 12:59 PM PDT
PAYETTE - The Payette County Commissioners recently signed Ordinance No. 2007-04, which will define a dangerous dog within the county and officially outlaw the ownership of any type of pit bull.
In a 19-page ordinance, the county outlines the definition of dangerous dogs, sets procedure for declaring a dog dangerous and specifically names pit bulls because the breed was selectively bred for the purpose of fighting.
The ordinance maintains the mere possession of pit bulls poses a significant threat to the health, welfare and safety of Payette County residents.
In its definitions, the ordinance states that a person can be the owner of a pit bull without pecuniary, proprietary or economic interest in the dog.
The new county mandate also specifically defines what a pit bull is. According to the ordinance, a pit bull is an “American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Presa Canario, Canary Island Dog, Can Corso, or dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club.”
The ordinance also covers “. . . any mixed breed of dog which contains as an element of its breeding the breed of American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Presa Canario, Canary Island Dog, or Can Corso as to be identifiable as partially of the breed” of the animals named above.
The ordinance further defines a “dangerous dog,” which includes dogs that have bitten, attacked, approached in a dangerous, vicious or terrorizing manner or otherwise endangered livestock without provocation.
Eight subparagraphs are used in the ordinance to define dangerous dogs, including one paragraph which specifically names dog breeds related to pit bull terriers.
The county also has a set of standards for the ownership of “dangerous dogs” and pit bulls owned before the ordinance was enacted.
Those owning dogs determined to be dangerous will need to apply for a license, and have veterinary certification of rabbies vaccination, compliance with all requirements of the ordinance and payment of $100 for each dog deemed to be dangerous. That does not include any dog determined of be partially or completely a pit bull breed.
If the owner of a dangerous dog can produce verification of spaying or neutering of the animal, the license fee will be reduced by $25.
Pit bull owners who possessed the dog prior to March 28 may be allowed to keep the animal within the county, but only if they conform to the regulations set forth in the ordinance or apply for and possess a specific pit bull license which costs $500 annually ($475 if the dog has been spayed or neutered).
Owners must obtain proper documentation prior to June 15 in order to keep the animal.
The animal will also have to be microchipped for identification at the owner’s expense.
All owners of pit bulls or dangerous dogs will be required to carry a minimum of $1 million insurance for a single incident to cover bodily injury or death to any person, or for the damage to property owned by any person which may result from the ownership of such dogs.
Owners of the dogs must also provide the Payette County clerk with two color photographs of the registered dog clearly showing color and approximate size of the animal.
Temporary transportation of pit bulls into the county will be allowed for public exhibition, contest or shows sponsored by the AKC or UKC. Owners of the animals must receive any permits required by the county ordinance prior to bringing the dog to the county. Measures must also be taken to prevent the animal from escaping or injuring the public.
Pit bull owners not residing within the county will need to obtain a temporary transport permit from the county sheriff.
The ordinance also spells out the style and size of signs that must be posted where a pit bull resides and defines the responsibility of ownership of such dogs.
Finally, the ordinance states that ownership not meeting the requirements of the ordinance will make the owner guilty of a misdemeanor within the county, which will constitute a maximum penalty of $300 per offense and/or 180 days in jail.
