The Leader & State Register

SEAFORD — Dogs and dog owners in the city of Seaford soon will have a new leash on life.

City council Nov. 11 unanimously approved a revised dog ordinance that through recent revision is not breed specific regarding "dangerous dogs" and features a four-member board of animal control that will address various ordinance issues.

"I think we are heading in the right direction," said Seaford resident Jodi Birch, a dog owner and member of the control board appointed by Seaford Mayor Edward H. Butler Jr.

Removal of breed-specific language — specifically pit bull breed — was the main bone of contention and among several modifications made to an ordinance proposal tabled by council amid public outcry and objection at its Oct. 14 meeting.

Mrs. Birch, whose family owns several pit bull breed dogs, was among those who voiced opposition to dangerous dog breed specification legislation, saying such laws are difficult to enforce and do not make a community safer.

At that meeting she told council the real root of the dangerous dog problem is the "irresponsible dog owner."

City officials and council had proposed sweeping revision of its two-page dog ordinance in response to public concerns fueled by a series of dog attacks.

The revised 10-page ordinance is structured to foster public safety and humane treatment of dogs through proper housing, confinement, leash and sanitary requirements, vaccination and licensing and owner responsibility.

Chaining or tethering of dogs is not allowed in the ordinance which will become effective Dec. 20 following a required 30-day advertisement period, assistant city manager Charles Anderson said.

Since the matter was tabled, Mrs. Birch and others collaborated with the city in efforts to revise the ordinance, which she calls a model for other towns.

"I think by just doing that (no breed-specific reference) we have a good tool to take care of the complaints and the public safety problems that are going on in certain areas here in the city," she said. "And with the chaining and tethering that you have put into this ordinance it is going to be a model for a lot of other communities that haven’t done so, and maybe even the state."

I think we were able to strike a balance between code enforcement and pleasing the concerned citizens regarding the ordinance," Mr. Anderson said.

"It is a win-win situation for everybody. I think the residents that wanted better enforcement and better code language will remain happy and I think the dog owners in general will remain happy as well."

Other Board of Animal Control (BAC) members include city building official Joshua Littleton, councilwoman Pat A. Jones, and Dr. Craig Metzner, DVM, of the Seaford Animal Hospital.

"I appreciate the interest that they have shown," said Mayor Butler.

"Her (Mrs. Birch’s) input was valuable. Jodi did have some good points to add to it," said Assistant City Manager Charles Anderson. "It is good to work with people who have a passion about these things.

In regards to dangerous dogs, Mrs. Jones asked if such issues would be handled on a case by case basis.

Mr. Anderson explained that Mr. Littleton, as the control board’s city representative, would initially investigate a complaint after which there would a specific process including owner notification and hearing, if necessary, and appeal.

Identified as a risk of serious physical harm or death to human beings by aggressive nature, training or characteristic behavior, a dog branded "dangerous" by the BAC must be properly confined, required to wear a muzzle when outside its pen, kennel or other enclosure.

Owners of dangerous dogs must provide proof of liability insurance or surety bond for not less than $100,000 to cover any damage or injury that such a dog might cause. Such owners must also contact the city manager should their animal get loose, Mr. Anderson said.

Other modifications in the revised ordinance focused on owner responsibility for providing proper housing and shelter, and timely and proper cleanup of animal waste.

Another revision is that "dangerous dogs" must be spayed or neutered, be micro-chipped for proper identification and they shall not be kept in a house when screen windows or screen doors are the only obstacle preventing the dog from exiting the structure.