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Wheatfield: Tightening the leash law

Wheatfield: Tightening the Leash Law
Wheatfield, NY - City officials are considering strengthening the leash laws. The leash law has been a hot topic since last summer, after a series of violent dog attacks on both people and their pets.

Numerous complaints were aired at town board meetings, leading Supervisor Tim Demler and his colleagues to seek public input on how to tighten the town’s leash laws to prevent future attacks, and to increase fines for people who repeatedly violate the dog laws.

In January, a pit bull attacked a resident’s dog while he was out walking it. City Attorney Robert O’Toole said that the town will examine increasing fines for leash law violations and alter the law so that repeat offenders receive higher penalties. Fines would increase for owners whose dogs have been declared dangerous. The pit bull in the January attack was deemed a dangerous dog.

Wheatfield officials will also take on the issue of dog kennels. Back in July, the town board issued a six-month moratorium on issuing permits for dog kennels. Residents have complained of one such kennel that has approximately 30 dogs.