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Clark County taking ‘zero tolerance’ stance on dangerous dogs

Dangerous dog violators  may face stiffer penalties

Clark County Humane Society Director James Straley tries to control one of three pit bulls on Rose Street after they were reported to be menacing the neighborhood Wednesday, May 12. One of the animals was destroyed by the police department when it became aggressive towards Straley. Staff photo by Marshall Gorby

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By Kelly Mori, Staff Writer Updated 9:00 AM Thursday, May 13, 2010

SPRINGFIELD — Owners of dangerous dogs in Clark County will face new, tougher penalties if they do not keep their dogs confined, controlled and insured, Humane Society Director Jimmy Straley said, Wednesday, May 12.

Straley met with court officials on Tuesday, May 11, asking for support to issue maximum citations to individuals who do not control dogs that fall under Ohio’s dangerous dog classification. With the tougher citations, owners of dangerous dogs can face a maximum $1,500 fine and six months in jail for each violation.

Nondangerous dog violations carry a much lower possible maximum fine of $150.

The request came a week after an 84-year-old Springfield woman lost part of her arm in an attack by a neighbor’s bulldog.

Dogs that are part of the pit bull family or any canine that attempts to bite or endanger a person are considered dangerous, according to the Ohio Revised Code.

On Wednesday, May 12, Springfield Police officers shot a pit bull that attempted to attack Straley while he responded to the call of three dangerous dogs running loose in the East Rose Street area. Also on Wednesday, Champaign County animal control officials chased down a dog that bit a child there.

Straley, who became director in July 2009, said it was his first priority to crack down on dangerous dogs “terrorizing” neighborhoods.

“We’re just going to have zero tolerance for vicious dogs,” he said. “There’s no reason for any neighborhood to have to live in fear.”

Chris Hall, whose 84-year-old mother was attacked on May 4, agreed.

“If you know your dog is that aggressive and there are people in your neighborhood that could be harmed, you have a responsibility to those people around you,” he said. “It’s just not fair that (my mother) would pay the price for (someone else’s) irresponsibility.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0347 or kmori@coxohio.com.

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