New Animal Control Regulations
For Immediate Release
August 10, 2000
For Additional Information Contact:
Michael Mullet
Community Relations Coordinator
(616) 336-2220
New Animal Control Regulations Take the Bite Out of Vicious Dogs
The Kent County Board of Commissioners today voted to approve new Animal Control Regulations aimed at reigning in vicious and aggressive dogs. The new regulations, which take effect August 18, also specify penalties local dog owners could face for failing to control their dogs.
The new Animal Control Regulations were developed in response to a Kent County Board of Health directive that Animal Control evaluate its regulations and policies as they relate to aggressive animals. While the existing regulations did provide for penalties for owners of dogs that were vicious or aggressive, the regulations were vague in defining those terms. Numerous aggressive dog and dog bite incidents in recent years also highlighted the need for stricter regulations.
By contrast, the new regulations define three categories of behavior - nuisance, aggressive, and dangerous - and specify what behaviors meet those definitions. Animal Control officials say such definitions will allow Animal Control Officers to assess dog-related incidents more effectively, and will allow for more proactive enforcement activity.
The new regulations were developed by a committee whose members included Animal Control staff as well as animal advocates, neighborhood associations, legal professionals, and local elected officials. The committee began meeting in January and is continuing to review all aspects of the existing Kent County Animal Control Regulations.
Although animal experts maintain dog owners must be responsible for their pets, and that a properly trained dog should pose no risk to those around it, not all dog owners take the responsibility for properly training their pets. Animal Control officials say the new regulations provide much more specific guidelines for holding owners responsible for the behavior of their dogs, and will help Officers be proactive in enforcement.
