Marty
08-17-2005, 06:44 PM
Rockmart, GA -- Imposing stricter regulations on pit bulldogs brought a large crowd to Thursday’s meeting of the Rockmart Mayor and Council.
Judy McDowell, delegate, introduced the subject as she related personal experiences with pit bull attacks on the Silver Comet Trail and at her home on Pearl Street. She told of her concern for her grandchildren and youngsters who walk along Pearl Street to Goodyear Elemen-tary School. She said there are 12 pit bulls along this route that kids must walk twice a day, and expressed her fear that they are not safe. “Pit bulls are bad news,” she continued. “It seems that we are having an epidemic of them here.”
McDowell urged Council members to adopt stricter regulations, including a 6-foot fence with dog on a chain. If there are two, she suggested placing them in separate kennels. She also proposed that dogs be on a leash and muzzled when their owners take them for a walk. In addition, she asked that these animals be registered with the city and police department and that rabies shots be kept on record and up to date.
In open discussion, several people expressed concern the dogs were being raised to fight. Each agreed that “something needs to be done for the protection of the children in the community.” Noted was the fact that many pit bulldogs are so big they are often uncontrolled even if on a leash. Chris Elsberry referred to his experience as an officer with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Department. “In my experience,” he said, “a large majority of pit bulls are closely associated with drug activity.”
Carl Usry, Depot Street, said he was afraid to go into his back yard due to pit bulls. “I’m not against anyone with any kind of dog and I’m not mad at pit bulls,” he explained. “I’m mad at vicious attack of animals that people let loose.” He also asked for stricter regulations regarding pit bulls. “I believe we are looking at a freight train wreck coming down the tracks,” he said. “It would be awful if we had to come back to another meeting, report and talk about a child or an adult that has been ripped apart by a dog.” Opinions were given that Rockmart could follow an example set in Lawrenceville, where breeds considered attack dogs must be tagged with a big red collar.
Deputy Police Chief John Adams said he is not opposed to animals but pointed out the difficulty of local officers in dealing with pit bulls. “We do not have equipment to handle them,” he said. “Many times our only recourse with a vicious animal is to shoot it. “But, we are in a highly populated area and we have to be really careful when we discharge a weapon.” Councilman Bob Culver said that Rockmart currently has a vicious dog ordinance.
Mike McRae, attorney, said Georgia law provides that a dog can be declared vicious by observation. He explained: Breed bans have not been enacted by the legislature in Georgia. Safety standards can be placed in a community, such as fencing and/or collars. McRae also asked that concerns about the response time of animal control officers be addressed through appropriate channels.
Thereafter, Mayor Curtis Lewis said the matter would be placed with the public safety committee to review and bring back a recommendation.
Judy McDowell, delegate, introduced the subject as she related personal experiences with pit bull attacks on the Silver Comet Trail and at her home on Pearl Street. She told of her concern for her grandchildren and youngsters who walk along Pearl Street to Goodyear Elemen-tary School. She said there are 12 pit bulls along this route that kids must walk twice a day, and expressed her fear that they are not safe. “Pit bulls are bad news,” she continued. “It seems that we are having an epidemic of them here.”
McDowell urged Council members to adopt stricter regulations, including a 6-foot fence with dog on a chain. If there are two, she suggested placing them in separate kennels. She also proposed that dogs be on a leash and muzzled when their owners take them for a walk. In addition, she asked that these animals be registered with the city and police department and that rabies shots be kept on record and up to date.
In open discussion, several people expressed concern the dogs were being raised to fight. Each agreed that “something needs to be done for the protection of the children in the community.” Noted was the fact that many pit bulldogs are so big they are often uncontrolled even if on a leash. Chris Elsberry referred to his experience as an officer with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Department. “In my experience,” he said, “a large majority of pit bulls are closely associated with drug activity.”
Carl Usry, Depot Street, said he was afraid to go into his back yard due to pit bulls. “I’m not against anyone with any kind of dog and I’m not mad at pit bulls,” he explained. “I’m mad at vicious attack of animals that people let loose.” He also asked for stricter regulations regarding pit bulls. “I believe we are looking at a freight train wreck coming down the tracks,” he said. “It would be awful if we had to come back to another meeting, report and talk about a child or an adult that has been ripped apart by a dog.” Opinions were given that Rockmart could follow an example set in Lawrenceville, where breeds considered attack dogs must be tagged with a big red collar.
Deputy Police Chief John Adams said he is not opposed to animals but pointed out the difficulty of local officers in dealing with pit bulls. “We do not have equipment to handle them,” he said. “Many times our only recourse with a vicious animal is to shoot it. “But, we are in a highly populated area and we have to be really careful when we discharge a weapon.” Councilman Bob Culver said that Rockmart currently has a vicious dog ordinance.
Mike McRae, attorney, said Georgia law provides that a dog can be declared vicious by observation. He explained: Breed bans have not been enacted by the legislature in Georgia. Safety standards can be placed in a community, such as fencing and/or collars. McRae also asked that concerns about the response time of animal control officers be addressed through appropriate channels.
Thereafter, Mayor Curtis Lewis said the matter would be placed with the public safety committee to review and bring back a recommendation.