Chincoteague Town Attorney Jon C. Poulson will study Accomack County’s newly passed dog ordinance before recommending it to Chincoteague Town Council. Officials said the change is needed to extend the town’s rules beyond leash or running-at-large restrictions.
Chincoteague Police Chief Eddie Lewis told council Monday, “We’ve not had that many vicious dogs.” He said there were only two in the last decade and both were “put down.”
“I don’t think we need to just discuss this one,” said Councilman Terry Howard, who recently was threatened by two dogs. “We need to give it more consideration … I’m not taking this lightly. If one child were taken down by one of these dogs … the money (for training and equipment) would be well spent. You either act or react. It’s too late after it does happen.”
Poulson said there are three categories of dogs: vicious, dangerous and running at large. The owners of the ones designated as dangerous by the court must post signs on their property and take out a liability policy for $100,000. The court generally orders that a vicious dog be killed, Poulson said.
The council should “adopt a parallel ordinance,” the attorney continued. “I want to make sure it is appropriate and who will enforce it. I want to look at the thing and fine-tune it.”
Councilman Jim Frese was against spending town funds for animal control since the county already provides the service.
VIA
No comments:
Post a Comment