The City Council rejected a proposal Monday that would charge dog owners whose pets bite people with a misdemeanor offense carrying penalties of up to $500 and five days in jail.
After an emotional one-hour debate, the council voted 5-2 against the measure introduced by council member Darden Clarke. Clarke said he has received at least five complaints about dog bites in his district during the past month.
“We got to do something to stop this plague of dog bites in the city,” Clarke said. “This is a problem of irresponsible ownership. I believe that we need this law to get the attention of dog owners and tell them we expect them to act responsibly.”
In an emotional speech before the council, Diane Wallace presented her 5-year-old daugther, Denise, whose legs were bandaged after a neighbor’s dog bit the girl three times last week.
“Look at this little girl and tell me who is responsible for this. Tell me who should be held accountable for the pain that this little girl has and the fear she had to carry with her when she plays in her own neigborhood,” Wallace said.
Council member John Simpson opposed the measure. He questioned whether citizens are truly threatened by vicious dogs.
“This is an idiotic approach to what may or may not be a serious problem,” Simpson said. “I haven’t had any complaints about dogs from my constituents. You don’t stop dog biting by incarcerting the owners.”
About 200 people attended the council meeting. Half favored Clarke’s proposal, and half oppossed it. One opponent, Randy Noble, of 1717 Carriage Lane, said the city’s leash laws are strong enough, but they are not properly enforced.