By Gary Lloyd
A group is planning to oppose the newly passed Clay vicious dog ordinance at Monday’s Clay City Council meeting.
The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. at Clay City Hall.
A Facebook group titled “Oppose the new BSL law at the next Clay City Council Meeting!” showed last week that more than 100 people are planning to attend Monday’s meeting. BSL refers to breed-specific legislation.
The group plans to oppose the law and ask that it be repealed at Monday’s meeting.
The city council last week approved a “vicious dog” ordinance, virtually banning pit bulls in city limits. Existing pit bull dogs, or any of their variations, must be registered with the city, no new pits may be brought into the city and any newborn pit puppies will need to be removed from the city limits within a certain amount of time.
These dog breeds must be confined indoors or kept in a locked, outside pen. If taken for a walk, the dogs must be leashed and muzzled at all times. Within 10 days of registration, owners must post “Beware of Dog” signs in easily seen locations on their property.
Clay City Hall
file photo by Gary Lloyd
Owners are also required to carry $50,000 in public liability insurance for their pets. In case of the death of a pet, the birth of puppies or a change of address in the city limits, owners have 10 days to notify city officials.
Violators of this ordinance will face between $200 and $500 in fines as well as up to 30 days in jail.
Last month, Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale was confronted in his front yard by four dogs described as acting aggressive and looking like pit bull breeds, said Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Randy Christian. Hale fired a warning shot in the ground and then a second shot containing “bird shot” that grazed one dog, Christian said.
“That turned them away,” Christian said. “Animal control was called to the scene and took control of the dogs that at the time were still roaming the neighborhood. The owner was identified and is facing a charge of allowing dogs to run at large.”
This incident prompted the city council to pass the ordinance.
“I think the city leaders just used this incident as an example of the need for it,” Christian said.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
