Proposal: Redefine a dangerous dog

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Proposal: Redefine a dangerous dog

By Tracy Overstreet


A dog may no longer have to break the skin, draw blood or cause a bruise to qualify as a potentially dangerous animal as defined in Grand Island city code -- a definition that can begin the process to end a dog's life.

Three new definitions have been written by City Attorney Doug Walker and the city's animal advisory board as a way to make city streets safer from aggressive and vicious animals.

All three will be considered Tuesday night by the Grand Island City Council.

The first proposal changes the definition of bite to "any seizure with the teeth by an animal" and eliminates the current stipulation that the seizure cause "an abrasion, puncture or wound" to the skin to constitute a bite.

The change was brought on partly because of a Rottweiler on South Blaine that Humane Society and police officials believe is dangerous, but didn't qualify as such after biting and not leaving a mark on a pedestrian's skin.

"It was winter and the person was heavily clothed," Walker said.

Had it been summer and the pedestrian was wearing shorts, the outcome of the bite may have been different, he said.

The Rottweiler also brought on a second change that removes a requirement that an animal be provoked to be considered potentially dangerous if it bites.

Police Chief Kyle Hetrick said the Rottweiler has charged at police officers and has acted as though it would bite even though it was not provoked.

The third change redefines when an animal is running at large.

Whenever the animal is not fenced, leashed or chained on its owner's property, it must be under the control of "a person physically capable of restraining the animal by holding a leash, cord, chain, wire, rope, cage or other suitable means of physical restraint," the proposed code states.

The code also subjects a potentially dangerous animal to the same notifications and procedures as a dangerous animal in the process of confiscating, impounding and declaring the animal a public nuisance.

The council meeting is open to the public and begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers at City Hall, 100 E. First.