Exh 3BAGENDA ITEM #3B ,
SEPTEMBER 22, 2003
• _ , _ •
To: ;Jim Hanson,. City Manager..
From: David E. Thompson, Chief of Police/DPS
CC:
Date• 9/16/2003
Re: Animal Control and Dangerous Dogs
At the Septemker 8, 2003 City Commission Meeting,.. a question was raised relative to the City Code
and dealing with dangerous dogs. Section 4-10 of the existing. city. code dealing with dangerous: dogs
is fairly comprehensive relative to identifying and dealing with. dogs of this nature.
Underthe code, there is a definition of a "dangerous dog", a process for the investigation of complaints,
and criminal penalties for the' owners. The actual penalties imposed for violations. of Phis portion of the
code,-are determined by judges. Please note that in addition to the criminal penalties prescribed by the
code,: thereare civil .remedies that are also available to victims
-In the case discussed at the September 8; 2003 City Commission meeting, the matter was investigated
and the owner turned the dogs' in to the Animal Control Officers The criminal investigation was
handled by a police officer, who subsequently took the case.to the State Attorney's Office forreview.
An Assistant State `Attorney reviewed the case, and .determined that the owner ofthe dogs had not
demonstrated any criminal intent to allow the dogs to engage in-the problem behavior, and. the owner
had not demonstrated negligence>to the degree. that criminal charges-were appropriate.: The dogs
were turned over to a rescue organization, whichwill relocate them to a more. appropriate rural setting.
Recommended revisions. to the code are included irr the staff report scheduled for consideration
September 22, 2003.:..They include a $1:00 annual...registration fee, insurance requirements; and
increased fees ($150) for the impoundment of dangerous dogs. ,.,
,~ ~`