New Broward law muzzles dangerous dogs. Is it enough?
On our politics blog yesterday, reporter Scott Wyman wrote that the Broward County Commission has reworked the ordinance that defines “dangerous dogs.”
In a nutshell, a dog now will be considered dangerous if:
1.) It severely injures or kills a person; or
2.) It kills a domestic animal in an unprovoked attack off the owner’s property.
Once a dog is declared dangerous, it must registered with the county, muzzled in public and kept in a confined area with a warning posted.
(Click here if you want to read Scott's complete post on the new law.)
Notice there is no mention of specific breeds. But it is a stricter law, as previously dogs had to kill a pet twice before being labeled dangerous.
This ruling made me think back to an April post on SSS! by Karla, who uses a Rottweiler as a service dog and also is a dog trainer. Karla said she travels a lot overseas and thought that regulations they had in Majorca, an island off the coast of Spain, would work great here. Requirements include:
1.) All dogs over 22 kilos (48.5 pounds), or those considered “bully breeds,” must be registered.
2.) Owners of these dogs must have a muzzle with them at all times when with the dog (don’t have to make the dog wear it, though).
3.) Owners must have a criminal background check, a medical clearance saying they are physically and mentally capable of handling such a pet, and carry $250,000 in insurance.
4.) Dogs cannot be walked on a flexi-leash or leash longer than 6 feet.
5.) A vet must certify the animal has been vaccinated and is not vicious.
(Click here if you want to read Karla’s full post.)
So what do you think of Broward County’s new law? Does it go too far or not far enough? Should there be additional guidelines for specific breeds? Should owners be required to carry extra insurance, as they are in Spain?
ANGIE BRENNAN, a Sun-Sentinel page designer,
lives with four dogs and one boyfriend. And has a lifetime of animal stories to share.
DIANE LADE, a reporter on the Sun-Sentinel's Help Team, has lived with cats, dogs, reptiles, fish, an iguana, and an armadillo.
CYNDI METZGER, editor of the Sun-Sentinel's Outlook section, is smitten with Bella, her poodle who regularly ignores requests to sit, stay and get off the ivory-colored sofa. 
JOHN TANASYCHUK, a Sun-Sentinel lifestyle writer, has lived with cats as long as he can remember. He and his partner currently share their home with three.
Comments
My lab mix was 16 years old, when I had to put her to sleep from an American Bulldog attack.
All we were doing was walking down the sidewalk when the dog's idiot owner accidentally let the dog out a gate. ....and of course the idiot owner had no training or control over the dog, nor was she strong enough to gain control. I grabbed hold of one of the dog's leg as it tried to bite my hand off; picked up my dog carrying her all the while trying to kick off the dog still chasing me.
Of course the idiot owner had no insurance, nor the homeowner had any insurance so I had to pay for both my dog's emergency services as well as my emergency room visit. I am all for any dog of any breed, deemed vicious for the owner to have insurance and obedience training. Unfortunately someone or something has to be attacked before the dog is deemed vicious.
Posted by: KCK | May 14, 2008 2:20 PM
Someone please help!
My neighbors dog was in my yard aggravating my 2 dogs, while being provoked one of my dogs pushed the gate open and escaped. The two dogs began to fight in my yard, unforunatly the other dog, a yokie did not make it. I am at my wits end!!! They claim it was in thier yard when it was not. After seeing my dog escape I ran out and stopped the fight, my dog let go instantly however I have a stafford shire terrir and she is 66 lbs and the other dog was very small.
This was a horrible accident but with the new law they will put my dogs down since the neighbors cant seem to get their story straight. We are talking a matter of inches, now how can they kill them for a matter of inches. If anyone knows a good attorney that can help me I would be very interested. These are my kids and taking them away is wrong. I feel horrible about what happened and paid all the expenses for the vet. The neighbors have even claimed it was not our fault and the Animal Control has even said they are not dangerous but with the nighors constanly changing their story my dogs still sit on DEATH ROW. Please help me save my dogs!!!
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Posted by: Jennifer Linnuste | September 19, 2008 3:55 PM