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Putting the Leash on Vicious Dogs

Councilman Matt Zone presented over 20 recommendations to the city's safety committee to crackdown on the rise in dog attacks and backyard breeders that raise dogs for fighting. In 2006, the city rounded up over 1,300 pit bulls, charging hundreds of pit bull owners with violating the city's current law.

Chief Animal Warden John Baird says the city will work across departments to go after all animal owners and breeders who don't comply with the law. He says the cross breeding of pit bulls makes it difficult to cite them as vicious dogs.

John Baird: We do have people who will say that their dog is not a pit bull. It's getting harder and harder to identify. I'll take their word for if their veterinarian will stand up and say I treat their pit bull. I'll take their word for it.

The Council's safety committee plans to form an animal review board to examine the suggested policy changes.