News

Hazel Park regulates pit bulls

PUBLISHED: Thursday, August 28, 2008

Some dog owners say the new rules go too far

By Elizabeth A. Katz

Daily Tribune Staff Writer

HAZEL PARK -- City council members Tuesday voted unanimously to put tighter
restrictions in place for those who own of pit bull-type dogs.

Members also added a provision that would prohibit tying any breed of dog to
an inanimate object, such as a tree, post, fence or building.

The ordinance defines pit bull-type animals as the Staffordshire bull
terrier, American Staffordshire terrier and the American pit bull terrier.

Under the amended law, owners of the three breeds of pit bull would have to
keep their animals on a leash when outside of a fence and an adult person 18
years or older would have to be in physical control of the leash.

Additionally, the dogs would have to be muzzled when outside of a house,
kennel or fence; confined to the indoors or if outdoors, kept in a securely
enclosed and locked six foot pen, kennel or fence, which has secure sides
and a secure top for a kennel or pen. The dogs must be confined indoors, but
not on a porch, patio or any part of a house or structure that would allow
the dog to exit the building.

Spiked dog collars are prohibited. Owners must post "Beware of Dog" on the
kennel, pen or fence containing the animal. Owners must notify the city in
writing about the removal or death of a pit bull, must report the birth of
offspring and the notification of the new address if the owner moves to
another address in the city.

The city also is proposing new permit requirements and an annual permit fee
of $50 for the breeds.

City Manager Ed Klobucher said the action was taken after a lengthy
discussion at the most recent council meeting.

"The speakers on both sides of the issue did a very nice job of articulating
their position and I think the discussions were good," he said. "We're going
to be doing some additional research."

He noted that owners of pit bull breeds have six months to put in fencing to
contain their dogs. If the owner claims a hardship, Klobucher said the city
will consider those situations on a case by case basis.

Though the ordinance amendment was breed-specific, Klobucher said council
members and the public agreed that any owner of a misbehaving dog,
regardless of breed, should be punished.

"We'll have a dialogue with the courts on the importance of having swift and
severe penalties for owners who allow their dogs to engage in dangerous
behavior, including high fines, jail time and putting down the dogs," he
said.

Councilwoman Jan Parisi said she believes the ordinance restrictions are
necessary to protect the residents, other animals and the pit bulls
themselves.

"They are mostly wonderful owners, but there are some people who are
attracted to that dog because it's a fighting dog," she said. "If you're
going to own a dog, we're going to expect you to be a responsible owner."

Councilman Andy LeCureaux said officials have been working on the ordinance
for many years, holding workshops on the issue and conducting their own
research on the breeds.

"That breed has a different temperament," he said. "Sometimes it's the bad
owners that give that dog the bad temperament. Out of all the people who
came to talk, there were two residents who were against it and probably
eight for it."

And though the council was firm in its decision, LeCureaux said he
appreciated the discussion on both sides of the issue. He added the
ordinance contains a five-year sunset clause and council members have the
ability to change the ordinance at any time.

"We gained some valuable information from the people who were against it,"
he said. "They realized our ordinance was less restrictive and onerous than
they thought."

Even so, one American Staffordshire terrier owner was displeased by the
council's decision and wanted the amendment to not be breed-specific.

"I believe their minds were made up before they even came to the meeting,"
said Debbie Frawley, owner of 13-year-old Xena. "I understand they are
trying to protect the public, but I don't agree with how they are doing it."

Contact Elizabeth A. Katz at elizabeth.katz@dailytribune.com or (248)
591-2521.

http://www.dailytribune.com/stories/082808/loc_localn02.shtml