By: Shar Dimick
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
After the January 5 Wauseon City Council meeting, the ordinance requiring pit bull owners to register their dogs as vicious remains unchanged.
Thomas McWatters III, Law Director explained, “We incorrectly indicated during the meeting that that was sufficient for passage. Upon further review, reflection and looking at the code and the charter, we determined that this was not sufficient to pass on second reading. The second reading, therefore, failed.”
Because the original ordinance remains in place “pit bull” owners are still required to register with the city, pay the $25 administrative fee, show proof of insurance, and adhere to additional fencing and muzzling rules.
April Petz, Wauseon resident and the owner of one of two “pit bulls” currently registered, told council that she will not register her dog this year. She said, “I’m registered through the county with my tags how I’m supposed to, and that’s all the further that we’ll go.”
However, despite the failed measure, the discussion regarding the vicious dog definition continues. McWatters said, “The thought was to use the time between the second and third readings for folks to sit down and discuss the issue, this in essence really provides a little bit more breathing room to do that since there is no longer an official ordinance before council.”
Resident Rick Griffin asked council, “I don’t understand what other language they are trying to add to it. They say were going to come up with some different language to add to the state code. Do you want to add the same law and just word it different? What other thing can you do besides say a vicious dog is a vicious dog period according to the state code and we are no longer going to discriminate against any certain breed?”
Mayor Kathy Huner said in response, “We are not confused on what vicious dog is and on how you can identify what a vicious dog is or how to identify what breed a dog is. We’ve heard all the information.” She continued to explain why council is revisiting the issue, “What we are trying to do is for the best interest of the safety and health and the welfare of all our citizens in Wauseon, Ohio.”
Councilor Shane Chamberlin reminded council, “The Safety and Code [committee] originally recommended a removal, not an addition.” When asked after the meeting, he further clarified that in regard to concern of always needing to revisit the issue, “[it] would be resolved simply by referring to State code. As the State code changes, the City’s would as well (essentially) and City officials would not spend any time in meetings effecting those perceived changes in the future.”
Police Chief Keith Torbet said when asked following the meeting, “What I would like to do is to stiffen up the dog classifications based on aggressiveness not breed. In regards to who I would like to have work on this with me is obviously the dog warden, as well as, Tasha Grieser, who spoke in December in regards to the law. I think we could come up with some classifications that would better protect the citizens from aggressive dogs.”
Shar may be reached at
publisher@thevillagereporter.com