Agenda - 12-07-2020; 12-4 - Information Item - Memo Regarding Further Regulation of Aggressive Dogs

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Bob Marotto Subject: FW: [EXTERNAL MAIL!] Re: Re:Animal Services Communication From: JOSEPH WILLIAMS <kokomoio50@yahoo.com> Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2020 12:33 PM To: OCAS <OCAS@orangecountync.gov>; Bob Marotto <bmarotto@orangecountync.gov> Cc: 'amanda.schwoerke@gmail.com' <amanda.schwoerkeft—gmail.com>; bryanlstuart@gmail.com; Rachel Plast <rplast@orangecountync.gov> Subject: [EXTERNAL MAIL!] Re: Animal Services Communication SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS RE UNIFIED ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINACE Currently the UNIFIED ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINACE classifies dogs as dangerous or not. In the interests of safety of the dog, owner, and the public there could be some intermediate actions which would not require declaring the dog to be dangerous. would improve safety, and provide a graduated path to better owner management or more adverse decision points. 1) When there has been a report of an aggressive dog, on a public space, trying to attack other dogs or persons then as part of the investigation a warning citation could be issued which would require the owner to attempt to maintain a space of 20 feet between their leashed dog and other dogs or persons and to retreat if necessary and issue verbal warnings to stay away from the leashed dog. Future reports of aggressive acts by the dog and or owner could result in requiring the dog to be muzzled without declaring the dog to be dangerous. 2) In addition, a part of the warning citation could be that if the leashed dog is taken into public spaces like sidewalks, or parks where is may not be possible to maintain a 20-foot space require the dog to be muzzled without declaring the dog to be dangerous. 3) Special circumstances could be defined such as the potential of the dog to cause serious injury or death to other dogs and persons; i.e. the size of the dog, breed of the dog, and degree of aggression of the dog. Also, the space where the report of aggressive behavior took place like multi-family condominiums. or apartment complexes. sidewalks, or parks. All persons should have the right to enjoy public spaces without being frightened, threatened, or intimidated by aggressive dogs and/or owners. 4) Much of this could be in the discretion of the animal control officer. When the officer investigates, they could ask the owner if the feel safer in their home or in public with a breed of dog known to be aggressive, like pit bulls, rottweilers, Dobermans etc. If the owner responds yes then they chose the breed of dog for security issues then the dog could be classified as a security dog and required to be muzzled in public spaces. In short, the dog is being used in place of a weapon for security purposes. 5) To protect the animal control officer in the event of future civil or criminal proceedings a simple chart rating the potential of the dog and owner to cause injury or death to other dogs and person. Items of rating could be the size of the dog, breed of the dog, aggressiveness of the dog, owner's willingness to maintain spacing in public spaces, or willingness to voluntarily muzzle the dog when on public spaces, ability of the owner to physically control the dog, type of leash used, past complaints of aggressive behavior by dog or dog handling by owner. 1