Commissioners favor pit bull regulations
By KALEY CONNER
An ordinance placing stricter regulations on pit bull owners and imposing stronger penalties for pet owners who do not register their animals could be passed by Hays city commissioners next week.
At Thursday's work session, commissioners spoke in favor of the ordinance, but suggested a few possible changes.
Rather than implementing a pit bull ban, the proposed law -- which will be voted on next week -- would automatically declare pit bulls as "dangerous," subjecting owners to heightened precautions.
Owners would be required to keep their dogs securely confined, provide identification microchips and obtain public liability insurance.
The ordinance describes pit bulls as any of several specific breeds. Local veterinarians would identify the breed, Police Chief James Braun said.
"If they say it's a poodle, it's a poodle," he said. "If they say it's a pit bull, it's a pit bull."
As suggested, the fine for pet owners who fail to register their pets by March 1 would increase from $1 to $10 for every delinquent month, with a maximum charge of $50.
It was suggested that lesser punishments could apply to residents who faithfully register their pets, but might miss the deadline.
Vice Mayor Chris Channell questioned an additional $25 charge for pets who haven't been sterilized, saying it might be counterproductive to charge more when the goal is to increase registration numbers.
"It seems to me we're going to start cracking down on animals that are not registered," Channell said. "I think that is prohibitive for people to go and pay the higher fee."
Pit bull owners would pay an annual $50 registration fee.
A local law that prohibits pets to run at large unless they are under "direct control" of the owner also was questioned. That provision should be more clearly defined, Commissioner Henry Schwaller IV said.
"Imagine you're in Frontier Park with your 5-year old... and someone's (dog) comes up and knocks your kid over," he said. "Well, it's under the owner's direct control, right?"
If the proposed ordinance becomes law, pit bulls must remain muzzled and on a leash in public.
The following items will be on next week's agenda for possible action:
* A bid for construction in Glassman Corp.'s future location on Commerce Parkway.
* The city's 2010 statement of legislative priorities.
* Proposed setback changes for buildings and signs.
* A 2009 uniform plumbing code.
* An amendment to the nuisance ordinance to allow for stormwater best management practices.
* An amendment to the winter storm traffic emergency ordinance.