After receiving critical feedback from the public, SouthCharleston City Council unanimously voted Thursday to pass a reviseddog ordinance that has scrapped mention of any specific breeds.
Earlier versions of the ordinance would have required owners ofcertain canine breeds, such as pit bulls, Rottweilers and PresaCanarios, to be registered and given special red tags. When outside,those specific dogs would have to be kept in enclosures or muzzledand kept on short leashes.
Now, owners of dogs simply deemed dangerous must comply with therules. The law classifies those dogs as ones that have bitten,attacked or injured a person or another pet while off their owner'sproperty, or have been used for dog fighting.
A public hearing was held prior to the council's vote. Some stillquestioned the dog-fighting aspect of the ordinance.
Jo Staats of the West Virginia Pit Bull Haven said she feels thelaw simply is not enforceable because it is based on complaints.
She also asked that any "fighting" language be removed.
"When you refer to dog-fighting breeds, people immediately thinkpit bull," Staats said. "It's the first thing that comes to mind."
Staats lives in Wardensville, located about four hours from SouthCharleston. But she said her mother-in-law lives in SouthCharleston, so she often visits with her two pit bulls and her 145-pound Neapolitan Bull Mastiff.
Richard Lindroth of Kanawha Avenue also was concerned about thelanguage.
He has a pit bull.
"She's the gentlest, sweetest dog I've ever owned," Lindrothsaid. "She's just not going to hurt anyone. But pit bulls have a badreputation."
Mayor Frank Mullens said the dogs would have to demonstratecertain characteristics to be deemed dangerous.
But in the best interest of the public, Mullens said he would nottake out the language pertaining to dog fighting.
"If you can prove the dog is not dangerous, then they won't havethat designation," he said.
Councilman Jef Stevens agreed, "This ordinance simply gives usmore bite when it comes to the owners - a little more leverage tomake sure dog owners are responsible.
"We are not punishing all dog owners. And it has nothing to dowith the breeds. We as a city should be able to react to protect thepublic."
Fellow council member Ben Paul said any dog can attack and turnvicious, which is why the breed-specific aspect of the ordinance andany references have been deleted.
"A dog would have to label itself dangerous by its own actions,"he said. "Under this law, we will have an opportunity to investigatethe situation thoroughly. The public is going to have to rely on ourjudgment.
"But no dog will be euthanized just because someone calls andcomplains."
Also Thursday, council listened to a proposal by Weberwoodresident Karen Miller on holding an urban deer hunt in SouthCharleston.
Miller prepared legislation on the matter and presented it to thecouncil.
"I want to make it clear, I'm a lover of animals and I'm a loverof deer, but that's why I think this is needed," she said.
"I feel the deer don't have enough food to eat, they're being hitby cars and they could be spreading disease."
According to the legislation she prepared, only bow hunting bylicensed hunters would be permitted on 10-acre plots.
Councilman Paul Neal noted he has seen 10 to 15 deer at a timenear the Dow property, for instance.
Paul said hunters should be required to have liability insurance"to cover any mistake they make."
The proposed legislation will be referred to the ordinancecommittee.
Council members also designated 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 29 as Trick orTreat in South Charleston.
Contact writer Jessica M. Karmasek at jessica@dailymail.com or304-348-4817.
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