Pit bull owners propose changes

Working to avoid breed-specific ban in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE - Suggestions for changing the potentially dangerous dog ordinance were presented to the Moses Lake council but no action was taken.

A committee appointed by Mayor Ron Covey to evaluate the ordinance met Oct. 7 and compiled a list of possible changes to the ordinance to possibly avoid banning pit bulls from the city. The committee consists of pit bull owners and city representatives.

The committee was formed after a previous council meeting where council discussed the possibility of banning pit bulls from the city after 6-year-old Alex Medina was mauled by a pit bull. Several pit bull owners attended the meeting to encourage the council to avoid banning the breed of dog from the city. As a result, council chose not to take action on the issue and formed the committee to review the issue further.

The committee suggested raising the fee to license an unaltered animal from $30 to $150, according to city documents.

Councilmember Richard Pearce said the committee chose the amount because it is higher than the cost to spay or neuter an animal and encourages dog owners to pay for the operation.

It currently costs $5 to license an altered dog.

If a dog displays characteristics making it appear to be a potentially dangerous dog, dog owners must install a microchip in their pet, alter the dog, take a dog handling class and post signs on the property where the dog lives, indicating it is a potentially dangerous dog.

A potentially dangerous dog is defined as a dog that bites, chases or threatens people and animals unprovoked, according to a city record.

According to the suggestions, all dog owners would be required to keep a file of records concerning information about the animal.

The information includes the approximate birth date of the dog, breed, name, city licensing documentation, statement of ownership, date when the dog was brought to the city and information related to law enforcement action against the dog. The committee also stated records should be required including vaccinations, spay and neuter records and injury and illness information.

The committee suggested requiring animal shelter records and training records. Training records include a temperance test, obedience classes, owner handling classes and formal training for service dogs.

The file would be required to license the animal and could be public information, according to a city document.

To license a dog, it is already required to present information related to spay and neuter alterations, breed, name and vaccinations.

Pearce said the focus of the committee appears to be centered on making pet owners more responsible and avoiding breed-specific bans.

The city council will host a study session from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 28 to discuss the issue but no action will be taken.