Jacksonville approves dangerous dog ordinance ammendment

The Jacksonville City Council adopted an amendment to an ordinance Monday that defines “potentially dangerous dogs” and states how they should be restrained.

Any type of pit bull, as well as Rottweiler or any wolf hybrid, or mixed breed of a dog that contains any of their elements is now “a potentially dangerous dog” according to city code.  The ordinance mandates that those dogs, when outdoors, be at all times “secured by a leash or other similar restraining device no longer than eight feet in length or enclosed by means of a fence or other secure enclosureThe ordinance indicates that violators could be fined anywhere from $300 to $500 and potentially serve jail time.

Council President Mark Jones said the council wanted to avoid such a leash law that would “require even the little poodles to be inside a fence.” He said the council came to define “potentially dangerous dogs” through research.

The City Council had a public hearing of the ordinance at its Sept. 28 meeting. The council drafted the ordinance after being approached by the parents of two young children, John-Paul and Crissy Werner, who at the meeting two weeks ago expressed concern over what they said was a 142-lb. pit bull living next door.

Council members said they had not heard any feedback from the community since reading the ordinance two weeks ago.