Provo sharpening teeth of dog laws

PROVO — Rather than turn to pit bull-specific restrictions, City Council is contemplating stricter regulations on vicious dogs — regardless of breed — and their owners.

Months ago, complaints of pit bulls running rampant in a neighborhood near 640 South and 1000 East prompted the Provo City Council to research remedies to the situation. Since that time, City Councilwoman Midge Johnson said she's concluded they're dealing with a vicious dog problem, not a breed-specific problem. So the council is drafting an ordinance that turns up the heat on ill-tempered dogs and their owners.

"We're telling people if you have a dog like that you've got to be responsible for him," she said.

Some neighbors are upset the ordinance doesn't specifically mention pit bulls, but Johnson said her research led her to conclude aggressive behavior isn't exclusive to any particular breed.

"You can have a German shepherd that's a vicious animal," she said.

Over the past two years, Provo police have received 93 reports of animal bites, according to a police report. Only nine incidents involved dogs described as pit bulls. Provo Police Captain Jerry Harper noted that people often report problems with pit bulls that aren't actually pit bulls.

Besides, Johnson said, the ordinance may not name pit bulls, but it doesn't exclude them, either.

The proposed ordinance would establish a two-step ranking system for "dangerous dogs" and "at-risk dogs." A canine would merit the dangerous dog classification if it has attacked an person, menaced or killed any domestic animal, or if it was used in the commission of a crime, such as dog fighting or guarding illegal property.

If an animal control officer receives complaints of a dangerous dog, it may be removed from the property. If it is returned, the owner would have to microchip the dog for tracking purposes and lock it in a secure pen. The owner would be required to file photos of the animal with police and provide proof of at least $100,000 in insurance in case the dog injures anyone.

When taken off the property, a dangerous dog would have to be muzzled and kept on a 4-foot leash at all times. When driving, an owner would have to transport his or her dog in a closed, locked crate to prevent children from coming in contact with the animal. Any additional incidents or attacks could result in destruction of the dog.