Marty
08-18-2005, 06:57 AM
Bromley, KY -- Some dog owners say the city commission is barking up the wrong tree when it comes to vicious dog regulations.
"There are already laws on the books for Taylor Mill...to protect people and animals from vicious dogs," said Carolyn Zembrodt, secretary of the Greater Cincinnati Rottweiler Club. "The breed-specific legislation is not necessary."
The city has been mulling proposed regulations for dogs considered vicious animals since Robin Denny of Walnut Drive in Taylor Mill said a pit bull charged at her and her children in her neighborhood and brought it to the attention of the commission.
Although Denny said neither her nor her children were injured in the encounter, it left her shaken.
"I did not want a ban," said Denny. "I just wanted some regulations. Unfortunately it's falling on the dogs' shoulders, not the owners."
For Zembrodt and others the issue is whether or not a dog can be determined to be vicious based only on its breed.
"Any kind of dog with teeth can bite and cause injuries," she said.
Zembrodt also said she's heard of incidents where even a Pomeranian has attacked and injured an individual.
"It's not the breed that's vicious, it's the irresponsible owner," she said.
Zembrodt suggested the city raise fines for violations of leash and restraint laws, require pet owners to undergo obedience training with their dog or require certification the animal has passed temperament testing.
The temperament testing is designed to determine whether or not the animal has a vicious demeanor in certain scenarios, such as when a stranger approaches the animal or something frightens it, she said.
"I think it's unfortunate that because of one resident who was irresponsible with their dog that these people who are obviously good pet owners have to go through this," said Commissioner Sara Voelker.
Commissioner Bob Haake also acknowledged that it might not always be the animal.
"It isn't the dog, it's the owner," he said.
No official resolution was passed and the commission expects to take up the issue again at its Sept. 14 regular meeting.
jdivita@communitypress.com
"There are already laws on the books for Taylor Mill...to protect people and animals from vicious dogs," said Carolyn Zembrodt, secretary of the Greater Cincinnati Rottweiler Club. "The breed-specific legislation is not necessary."
The city has been mulling proposed regulations for dogs considered vicious animals since Robin Denny of Walnut Drive in Taylor Mill said a pit bull charged at her and her children in her neighborhood and brought it to the attention of the commission.
Although Denny said neither her nor her children were injured in the encounter, it left her shaken.
"I did not want a ban," said Denny. "I just wanted some regulations. Unfortunately it's falling on the dogs' shoulders, not the owners."
For Zembrodt and others the issue is whether or not a dog can be determined to be vicious based only on its breed.
"Any kind of dog with teeth can bite and cause injuries," she said.
Zembrodt also said she's heard of incidents where even a Pomeranian has attacked and injured an individual.
"It's not the breed that's vicious, it's the irresponsible owner," she said.
Zembrodt suggested the city raise fines for violations of leash and restraint laws, require pet owners to undergo obedience training with their dog or require certification the animal has passed temperament testing.
The temperament testing is designed to determine whether or not the animal has a vicious demeanor in certain scenarios, such as when a stranger approaches the animal or something frightens it, she said.
"I think it's unfortunate that because of one resident who was irresponsible with their dog that these people who are obviously good pet owners have to go through this," said Commissioner Sara Voelker.
Commissioner Bob Haake also acknowledged that it might not always be the animal.
"It isn't the dog, it's the owner," he said.
No official resolution was passed and the commission expects to take up the issue again at its Sept. 14 regular meeting.
jdivita@communitypress.com