Howard County Passes Law Against Dangerous Dogs
Kokomo, IN - Howard County commissioners passed a new ordinance Monday aimed at dangerous dogs and their owners. The old law fell short of protecting people from dangerous, and potentially dangerous dogs. The new law will classify dogs who fit one of those categories. Dogs considered dangerous by the law are those bred for fighting or that have a history of biting. Those dogs are now banned from ownership in Howard County. The law also takes aim at the owners of potentially dangerous dogs.
"I've been bitten 6-12 times," said Greg Townsend, an avid runner who supports the law. "Mostly, they bite and then leave me alone, but I was viciously attacked last March by a pit bull."
The new law also expands enforcement powers to animal control officers and places more responsibility on owners. Like a similar law in Indianapolis, Howard County's law isn't breed specific. It also spells out the responsibilities of dog owners to ensure that potentially dangerous dogs are confined with posted warning signs or muzzled. Owners also must maintain a minimum of $50,000 in insurance. Dog owners will face hefty fines and even forfeiture of their animals. Kokomo's city council will also consider adopting the new ordinance which can also result in fines up to $2,500.
“I’ve been bitten 6-12 times,” said Greg Townsend, an avid runner who supports the law. “Mostly, they bite and then leave me alone, but I was viciously attacked last March by a pit bull.”
We get complaints about the lack of media coverage for non-pit bull breed bite incidents.
The reason why the media tends to ignore the vast majority of non-pit bull attacks is because they are insignificant bites and not news worthy.
$1,000,000 insurance and a minimum $5000 fine plus mandatory forfeiture sounds a lot better to me.
So it is okay for other breeds to bite as long as they are insignificant wounds?
Anonymous, I am not excusing non-pit bull bites. I am explaining WHY the media does not report all of the non-pit bull bites.
I just live 30 miles from there. Does it mean all dog owners have to have insurance or just after they decide the dog is dangerous? After they decide a dog is dangerous or after they bite someone the insurance is very expensive, insurance for a pit bull can cost as much as $400 a year, for $2,500 deductible. That is if it hasn’t bitten anyone.
$400 a year to insure a breed of dog that has killed over 100 Americans and is being shot during beserking episodes nearly every day by law enforcement is rediculously cheap!
Bite and releases from other dogs aren’t a major public safety issue.
Communities are deciding not to accept the collateral damage that comes with owning the “Ultimate Canine Gladiator” as a casual pet.