Lisa Gibbons, chair of the animal ordinance and welfare task force, knows a lot about dogs.
At the Aug. 5 Newton City Council meeting, Gibbons proposed a new dog ordinance that would replace the vicious dog ordinance. The proposal is the result of 10 months of research by Gibbons and the task force. They worked with other local municipalities, particularly in Des Moines, to see what they have in effect for their dog ordinances.
Gibbons said the proposed ordinance aims to catch animals in the early stages of aggression. Rather than label all dogs that bite as vicious, the new ordinance uses a tiered system to categorize dogs and help them change their behavior. Gibbons said the proposed ordinance will empower citizens to change their dogs’ behaviors, something she said the current ordinance doesn’t do.
“I still knew it was a reactive ordinance and most of the council did too, but they knew they had to do something,” Gibbons said. “So it was the right step at the time to get at least something in place, but they really wanted to look at proactive solutions.”
The ordinance also proposes new regulations for breeders. Major and minor breeders are required to have permits to breed their animals. A minor breeder is limited to selling or giving away one litter every 12 months. A major breeder may not breed more than one litter per female in a 12-month period.
To enforce these new ordinances, Gibbons has proposed the hiring of an Animal Control Officer or a Community Service Officer to help enforce the new ordinances. A Community Service Officer would be tasked with other duties outside the area of animal control. Gibbons said the hiring of an officer is important to the enforcement of the ordinances and judgement of each situation.
“Every dog bite is situational,” Gibbons said.
Right now the ordinances, except for the portions pertaining to breeders, just apply to dogs. Gibbons said after this ordinance has been vetted and passed, the task force may be working on one regarding other domesticated animals.
“Dogs are a bigger safety issue because they’re obviously bigger and can cause more issues than cats safety-wise,” Gibbons said.
While the ordinance aims to change the behavior of dogs and give them a better quality of life, it also aims to protect the citizens of Newton, including those who are afraid of dogs.
“This really is going to benefit citizens,” Gibbons said. “People will feel safer walking down the street.”
Gibbons, who owns pets herself, said working with the task force and the council has been a good experience.
“They’re a very progressive council,” Gibbons said. “They’re really looking out for the best interest of the citizens here.”
Gibbons said she isn’t aware of any major opposition to the ordinance, but Gibbons encourages people with feedback to contact her.
“Most of the people that addressed us are having issues with dogs but it seems to be the same people over and over that own these dogs,” Gibbons said. “The responsible citizens who own the animals won’t be affected at all. There’s no problems with them, there’s no problems with how they care for their animals. We’re hoping to catch the people who are irresponsible.”
Staff writer Dave Hon may be contacted at (641) 792-3121, ext. 425, or at dhon@newtondailynews.com.