VANCEBURG — A dog may be man’s best friend, but a vicious dog is anything but.
To aid in the control of vicious animals, the Lewis County Fiscal Court approved Monday, the second reading of an ordinance relating to vicious animals and the standards for keeping them.
In particular, the ordinance cites pit bulls and any wolf-breed dog which fall under a “rebuttable presumption” they are vicious by virtue of their breed. However, the ordinance extends to any dog deemed vicious by the animal control officer or police officer.
The ordinance will require, among other things, the animal will be leashed and muzzled while being walked, be securely confined in a locked pen or kennel if outside or if kept inside must not have only a screened window or door preventing the animal from exiting, and signs must be displayed warning “Beware of vicious animal.”
The ordinance will also require the pet owner maintain a minimum of $500,000 liability insurance, provide identification photographs to the animal control officer and report the removal or death, birth of offspring or new address of an animal as well as if the animal gets loose, is stolen or attacks someone.
Magistrates and Judge-Executive Thomas Massie expressed some hesitancy at adopting the heightened restrictions which will apply most widely to pit bull owners. Most opposed increased regulation, but safety concerns weighed heavily on the decision and the ordinance was recommended by Lewis County Animal Control Officer Homer Wilburn. Wilburn initially recommended the county adopt the ordinance because it establishes the same requirements for pit bull and vicious animal owners in the county by which residents of Vanceburg must already abide.
Wilburn said there are many outlying areas in the county with populations similar to Vanceburg. He also told the fiscal court Monday evening of several cases of dog bites since the beginning of the year.
Wilburn said five or six attacks have happened since Jan. 1, which would average out to less than one per month. However, two of the attacks, including one that seriously injured a 10-year-old girl, occurred within a week of each other.
Wilburn said the pit bull that attacked the 10-year-old girl was familiar with the girl. The girl had given the dog to her aunt’s boyfriend when she was 5 years old. Five years later, the man was walking the dog, named Shadow, on a leash when the dog suddenly turned on the girl.
Wilburn said the girl had to get 50 stitches on her face — which accounted for only those on the outside of her face. Other stitches may have been used inside as reconstruction was done. The girl also sustained injuries to her back, hip and arm as well as a broken finger.
Wilburn said he likes pit bulls, but because of their temperament and the irresponsibility of owners, the ordinance is needed.
“I have no vendetta against them,” Wilburn said of the dogs. “The people that have them, a lot of them are irresponsible.”
Wilburn said Shadow’s owner brought the dog into the shelter after the attack and Wilburn cared for the dog himself, since others were afraid of it.
“I liked Shadow,” Wilburn said, adding he trusted Shadow more than he did another pit bull which, when it bit someone left a wound that required only one stitch.
Shadow was eventually euthanized at the owner’s request. Wilburn said the owner did not want to take the chance that a second attack could occur.
Few people attended the fiscal court meeting Monday to speak out about the proposed ordinance and those who did spoke in favor of the ordinance.
One couple spoke of their concerns about two pit bulls in the area where they live, particularly since they have young children. One of the dogs is chained, one is not. They inquired as to the exact requirements of the ordinance and voiced support for the ordinance.
The ordinance will not permit a pit bull, or vicious animal, to be restrained only by chain. Nor does a fenced-in yard suffice. According to the ordinance, the pen or kennel must have secure sides with a secure top. A secure bottom must also be in place unless the sides of the pen are embedded at least two feet into the ground. Fencing must be at least 14 gauge fencing wire.
Anita Bertram, director of Lewis County Health Department, also spoke about the risks associated with vicious animals and the need for the ordinance.
“The problem we have is that dogs are biting children,” Bertram said.
“I don’t like regulation much myself and I think the government does too much of it,” Massie said.
However, Massie compared regulations for vicious animals to regulations for gun control. Massie cited a popular phrase that “guns don’t kill people, people do,” but that pit bulls are not like a gun because a person does not need to pull a trigger for them to go off. A pit bull can attack by itself.
Magistrate Milt Stanfield also said he did not like regulation, but concerns for safety prompted him to make the motion to adopt the second reading of the ordinance. Magistrate Joe Bentley seconded the motion and the ordinance was unanimously approved.
When it comes to enforcing the ordinance, Wilburn said he is not going on a “witch hunt” to actively seek out pit bull or vicious animal owners. However, if in the course of his duties he encounters a pit bull or vicious animal, the owner will be informed of the ordinance and the requirements for keeping the dog and must comply within 10 days.
Wilburn said he will keep a file of known animals and owners and follow-up to ensure compliance.
Violation of the ordinance constitutes a class A misdemeanor resulting in a maximum penalty of 12 months in jail and/or a $500 fine.
In other business, the fiscal court also approved the termination of part-time janitor George Hobbs after a closed session discussion. No reason was cited for the dismissal. Massie said Hobbs is an at-will employee and no reason is needed for the termination. The position will either be contracted out or the fiscal court will hire a new employee.
The fiscal court set the time and date for trick-or-treat. It will be Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m., the same as the city of Vanceburg.
