Dangerous dogs will cost more in Ontario
By Andy Gates - Argus Observer
Tuesday, May 8, 2007 1:32 PM PDT
Ontario - The Ontario City Council recently passed a unique resolution aimed at curtailing community havoc associated with dangerous dogs.
Unlike other recent dog ordinances, though, Ontario’s March legislation considers community safety along with the freedom of pet owners. It is a law aimed at blaming deeds, not breeds — as some pit-bull activists have said.
When it comes to enforcing the law, though, the compromise creates an additional financial burden on the Ontario Police Department.
Ontario Police Chief Mike Kee, who sculpted the city’s recent vicious dog ordinance, told the City Council Monday night during its regular meeting that the city should charge an additional $100 annually to dangerous dog owners.
According to Kee’s May 7 City Council Agenda report, “. . . This revenue will be received through the general fund in order to offset the costs of the city’s ordinance officer inspecting the premises to assure compliance of the vicious dog requirements and the additional administration in the police department.”
The council unanimously passed the $100 annual fee resolution Monday night.
The council also set an annual fee owners of dangerous dogs must pay as part of the new ordinance.
Kee estimates as much as $5,000 in new revenue could be created through the annual vicious dog fee, according to the agenda report.
The city’s March ordinance stipulates that owners of dangerous dogs be required to pay an additional license fee, leash and muzzle the pet, post a dangerous dog sign, keep the dogs in cages, spay and neuter the canines, train their behavior, and implant them with microchips, Kee said Monday night during the council meeting. The city’s law regulating dangerous dogs through their owners followed a month-long ride of contentious debate, revisions that incorporated community input and finally unanimous approval from Ontario’s elected leaders.
According to the city’s March ordinance, dogs can be deemed vicious if they have bitten or attacked people or have attempted to do so; hounds owned to fight or aggressive canines kept on property known for drug trafficking or gang activity.
The definition also stipulates that dogs can be deemed vicious if they display a propensity to attack through threatening mannerisms, even if they are confined by a leash or fence.
Owners of vicious dogs can be ticketed for a Class A Violation if their dog runs at large or bites a person or animal.
The canine ordinance also gives owners the ability to appeal designations, which allows for an element of due process, where owners can potentially go before a hearings officer and appeal allegations issued against their pets. However, a hearings officer appointed by the city could cost around $1,500 annually, Kee has said.
