11/13/2006
Media Contact:
Cherrish S. Pryor
317-327-4245 |
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Dangerous Dog Proposal Passes Council
Indianapolis - Tonight, the City County Council passed Proposal No. 370, 2006 (the Dangerous Dog Proposal) which makes changes to the Indianapolis Code as it relates to animals. The proposal was first introduced on July 19, 2006 and passed the full Council by a bipartisan vote of 26-0.
President Gray said, "The intent of the proposal is to protect citizens from dangerous animals, and send a message to irresponsible pet owners that they are and will be held accountable for the actions of their pets." He said, "We didn’t single out a specific breed of dog because any breed can attack people and other animals, particularly if they are mistreated or taught to fight by their owner."
The proposal was originally introduced to address the growing number of dangerous dogs in the community, but was amended to update the entire Animal Code.
Some key provisions of the proposal:
§ Increased fines relating to dangerous animals which will range from $500 to $1000,
§ Inclusion of crime prevention dog and law enforcement animal in the Code,
§ Inclusion of potentially dangerous dogs in the ordinance to help prevent dog bites,
§ Limits the ownership of dangerous animals to two (2), and:
§ Defines a dangerous animal as one that 1) would constitute a danger to human life or property, or; 2) has caused serious injury to a person without having been provoked by the person; or 3) has chased or approached a person in a menacing fashion, or attacked another domestic animal, or; 4) because of its training or behavior, is capable of inflicting physical harm or death to humans.
President Gray said, "Councillors Sherron Franklin and Rozelle Boyd did an outstanding job shepherding the proposal through the Council process and working in a bipartisan fashion to garner support for the proposal. Every effort was also made to ensure that citizens had numerous opportunities to provide feedback on the proposal."
The proposal will become effective on January 1, 2007. Councillors Sherron Franklin and Rozelle Boyd were the primary sponsors of the proposal along with Councillor Ron Gibson.
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