Cities differ on when to call dog a danger

Published 10:30 pm Saturday, November 15, 2008

How dangerous dogs are handled by city officials depends on where you live.

Most area cities follow a two-strike approach.

When a dog bites or acts aggressively, it earns the label “potentially dangerous,” which in effect is a warning.

If a second incident occurs, the dog becomes “dangerous,” and that label comes with consequences for the owner and the dog.

Dangerous dogs have to be kept in their owners’ homes or in a secure kennel with a top and a locked gate, according to state law.

These dogs can’t leave either of those areas without a muzzle, even to run around their own fenced yard. The owner has to post warning signs and obtain liability insurance up to $250,000. The dog must be registered with the city or county.

If owners don’t follow these restrictions, they can face jail time or pay stiff fines and animal control officers can confiscate the dog.

The Monroe City Council is considering a proposal that would skip that first warning for certain breeds of dogs.

The city of Everett has a similar law on the books, signaling out pit bulls, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers and mixes of these breeds as “potentially dangerous dogs.” Potentially dangerous dogs are required to be registered, licensed and embedded with a microchip.

About 100 dogs in Everett are declared dangerous every year, said Bud Wessman, director of the Everett Animal Shelter. The process starts with a complaint, followed by an investigation. People have the right to appeal before a judge, and about half of them do, he said.

The most common biters tend to be the most prolific breeds, Wessman said.

For example, Akitas, which are rare here but common in Georgia, top that state’s dog bite list. He also said some lists might be unreliable because people tend to underreport bites from small dogs.

The city of Arlington doesn’t distinguish between different breeds. When a dog bites, the owner must produce certification the animal has a current rabies vaccination or the dog is quarantined. Animal control officers can impound dogs that chase or jump on vehicles or cyclists in public places.

The city defines a “dangerous dog” as one that severely injures a person or kills a domestic animal without provocation. The city hasn’t had a dog declared dangerous in at least a decade, said Kristin Banfield, assistant city administrator.

In Marysville it’s illegal to allow dogs to run loose if they chase or habitually snap, growl, jump or threaten people in public spaces. Owners with dogs labeled “potentially dangerous” have to obtain a $100 permit and they have to follow the dangerous-dog guidelines set by the state, community service officer Dave Vasconi said.

Dangerous dogs aren’t allowed in the city limits of Lake Stevens, police support officer Cindy Brooks said. Dogs labeled as “potentially dangerous” should have a microchip implanted within 15 days. Owners are supposed to alert the city if the dog moves, dies or goes to a new owner.

Reporter David Chircop contributed to this story. Debra Smith: 425-339-3197 or dsmith@heraldnet.com.