Dog lovers sound off on potential law
Most agree that to curb vicious attacks, rules should target owners, not breeds
Dog lovers prepared to fight for their favorite breeds filled a City-County Building meeting room Wednesday, but they encountered few suggestions for a local ordinance targeting certain breeds.
Instead, they heard from other dog lovers, like Gwen Chaney, with the Hoosier Rottweiler Club. She was among those who said it is not the breed that creates aggressive dogs, but people who do it.
"We support strong, reasonable and fair laws," she said. "Problem dogs of any breed are the result of problem owners."
With public attention again focused on aggressive dogs because of three recent attacks, including the mauling of a toddler who remains at Riley Hospital for Children, the hearing was scheduled by the City-County Council's Rules and Public Policy Committee. About 80 people attended.
Additionally, Councilwoman Sherron Franklin, who also attended the hearing, plans to re-introduce an ordinance Monday to increase penalties and require stricter control of dogs by their owners. She had proposed a similar measure last year, but it failed to gain support.
Her proposal does not mention any breed of dog, and it does not ban dogs based on a breed. Instead, it refers to "dangerous dogs" and requires such animals to be confined in fences or structures, and imposes penalties for violations.
After hearing testimony Wednesday, Franklin indicated she likely would move to make the measure even stricter by increasing the penalties. A public hearing specifically on her proposal will be held in July, she said.
Members of Indy Pit Crew, which supports pit bull terriers and aims to educate the public about the dogs, came armed with a three-ring binder of information for committee members.
"It all comes down to owner responsibility,' said Stacey Coleman, president of the group, which was launched in the fall. She advocates statewide legislation regulating dog owners, a crackdown on dog fighting and beefing up powers of animal control officers.
Committee member Patrice Abduallah assured people at the hearing that he does not support breed-specific legislation. He said he understands people who love a breed that some people fear: He breeds Doberman pinschers, another breed frequently identified as an aggressive dog, he said.
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