County moves to tightens rules on dangerous, vicious dogs County moves to tightens rules on dangerous, vicious dogs (September 21, 2005)

By Marion Softky

Almanac Staff Writer

In the wake of several attacks and killings by vicious dogs, San Mateo County is taking steps to tighten its controls over potentially dangerous animals and the people who keep them.

On September 12, the Board of Supervisors introduced amendments to its animal control ordinance that clarify and expand provisions in the existing ordinance. The changes would establish different definitions for "dangerous" and "vicious" dogs, and require that vicious dogs be banished from the county or euthanized.

One of the proposed rules would prohibit any animal that has attacked a person from living in a household with children under 18.

The ordinance, if approved by the county's cities, won't target specific breeds, such as pit bulls, because current state law prohibits breed-specific rules, said Environmental Services Director Marcia Raines.

All 20 cities in the county must approve the changes for them to go into effect. If that happens, the revised ordinance will take effect 30 days after the last city signs off on it.

"This clearly is a public safety issue," said Supervisor Jerry Hill. "Dogs are not born vicious; they are trained to be vicious."

The new regulations were developed by the Animal Control Task Force, which includes representatives of the county, its 20 cities, and the Peninsula Humane Society, which has provided animal control services under contract to the county for 45 years.

Among provisions in the new ordinance:

** Clarify the definitions of "animal owner" and "dangerous animal," and allow for hearings in disputed cases.

** Add new definitions for "vicious animal" and "severe injury." It would become illegal to keep vicious animals in San Mateo County.

** Set procedures for obtaining permits for dangerous animals, and rules for keeping them.

** Clarify when an animal considered dangerous or vicious may be impounded.

** Classify violations involving dangerous animals as misdemeanors.

Supervisor Mark Church asked the county counsel to look into the legality of making it a criminal offense to raise dogs to fight or be aggressive.
INFORMATION

For more information, including the definitions, go online to www.co.sanmateo.ca.us; look on the links on the left and click on Board of Supervisors, then Board Agendas. Scroll down to the list of 2005 agendas, and on the September 13, 2005, line, click on the button under the Agenda column. Go to Item 7 on the agenda, which has links to the ordinance and other documents.

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