posted September 19, 2001
City Animal Services Director Paul Miller will convene a task force to study what to do about dangerous dogs in Chattanooga.
He said the task force should be back to the City Council with recommendations in 90-120 days.
City Judge Walter Williams first brought up the dangerous dog issue in a recent appearance before the council.
He said Monday afternoon that he has been getting numerous cases involving pit bulls. “In the last two months there have been at least 40 cases involving pit bulls,” he said.
Judge Williams said one owner on Spears Avenue has five pit bulls, and “that’s where the houses are so close you can pass sugar in the rain without it getting wet.”
He said of the pit bulls, “That breed keeps coming up in court. It used to be rotweillers.” He said he has never had a case involving a German shepherd.
Judge Williams said, “I suggest we load up all the pit bulls and drop them on Afghanistan.”
Mr. Miller said his department is notified of “about one dog bite a day.” He said, “It’s been several years since we had a severe attack, but the odds are that it’s going to happen.”
He cautioned on passing an ordinance putting a set limit on how many dogs a person can own. He said that may lead to owners hiding animals and the dogs not getting their shots. He said the situation can often be handled with existing laws such as those involving shot requirements and public nuisance.
Councilman Leamon Pierce said he was leary of “just passing another law” on the issue. He said, “First we are talking about taking away the dog’s bark and now the bite.” The council is also discussing a new noise ordinance, including a section on barking dogs.
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