Sumner considers crackdown on dangerous dogs
SUMNER, Wash. -- Pet owners with aggressive animals had better beware before moving into this Western Washington city.
The city council is considering a crackdown on dangerous dogs. New residents may soon have to undergo a police background check before obtaining a pet permit.
Council member Matt Richardson, who proposed the idea, says the city is looking for a way to protect the community from dangerous dogs in the wake of last month's incident during which a loose pit bull loose trapped a woman in her car.
The city currently does not have a have a dangerous dog ordinance.
The proposed ordinance would require pet owners moving into Sumner inform the city if they've ever been convicted of a dangerous dog violation. That checked box on the pet permit could possibly lead to a background check.
And pet owners of potentially dangerous dogs would pay $250 for a permit. The amount would double for dogs ruled dangerous.
Those dogs would have to be kept on the owner's premise unless on a leash. A violation would be punishable by a fine up to $5,000.
Council members are also considering requiring the owners of such dogs to keep a $50,000 insurance bond.
But what constitutes a dangerous or potentially-dangerous dog? Singling out breeds hasn't been ruled or written in.
According to Richardson, a dog is deemed dangerous if a judge or a jury finds it has mauled or killed someone. But he doesn't want the council to wait for that to happen.
"I'm one of seven. My vote is don't let those kinds of owners come into the city of Sumner," he said.
Dog owners who already reside within the city limits will be grandfathered.
The city's idea has received mixed reactions from the public.
"I think you should have to let the city know if you have a dangerous dog," said Erinn Osley, a dog owner.
"I don't think city should control what type of dog you have. I understand to protect public, but I've lived here my whole life and never seen a dangerous dog," said Scott Hinckley, a Sumner resident.
The council is not expected to make a decision on the ordinance for several weeks.
The city council is considering a crackdown on dangerous dogs. New residents may soon have to undergo a police background check before obtaining a pet permit.
Council member Matt Richardson, who proposed the idea, says the city is looking for a way to protect the community from dangerous dogs in the wake of last month's incident during which a loose pit bull loose trapped a woman in her car.
The city currently does not have a have a dangerous dog ordinance.
The proposed ordinance would require pet owners moving into Sumner inform the city if they've ever been convicted of a dangerous dog violation. That checked box on the pet permit could possibly lead to a background check.
And pet owners of potentially dangerous dogs would pay $250 for a permit. The amount would double for dogs ruled dangerous.
Those dogs would have to be kept on the owner's premise unless on a leash. A violation would be punishable by a fine up to $5,000.
Council members are also considering requiring the owners of such dogs to keep a $50,000 insurance bond.
But what constitutes a dangerous or potentially-dangerous dog? Singling out breeds hasn't been ruled or written in.
According to Richardson, a dog is deemed dangerous if a judge or a jury finds it has mauled or killed someone. But he doesn't want the council to wait for that to happen.
"I'm one of seven. My vote is don't let those kinds of owners come into the city of Sumner," he said.
Dog owners who already reside within the city limits will be grandfathered.
The city's idea has received mixed reactions from the public.
"I think you should have to let the city know if you have a dangerous dog," said Erinn Osley, a dog owner.
"I don't think city should control what type of dog you have. I understand to protect public, but I've lived here my whole life and never seen a dangerous dog," said Scott Hinckley, a Sumner resident.
The council is not expected to make a decision on the ordinance for several weeks.