Louisiana Parish Looks to Strengthen Dog Ordinance

The Tangipahoa Parish Council has agreed to explore ways to amend ordinances regulating the ownership of “dangerous and vicious” dogs after hearing a complaint about some animals from a resident of the Hammond area.

The Advocate reports Pat King told the Louisiana council on Monday his neighbor owns three pit bulls, all on leashes in the neighbors yards, but they can come to within about 10 feet of his property line.

“I had to cut my grass with a pistol on my hip,” King said. “I speak for many when I say it’s time to put some teeth in the pit bull laws.”

King said that on several occasions he almost shot the dogs when they escaped their leashes and came into his yard.

Council President Lionel Wells, after hearing complaints about dangerous dogs from several council members, said he and council members would work with Charles “Chip” Fitz, director of the parish’s Animal Control Center, to examine ways to better protect its residents from vicious animals. Wells said the existing parish ordinances require only that dogs determined to be dangerous be kept within an enclosure or be leashed at all times.

Council Attorney Cliff Speed advised the council that it cannot pass ordinances that are “breed specific,” but agreed that ordinances can be passed requiring such things as insurance for owners of vicious dogs, the implantation of microchips so that dog owners can be identified and a requirement for stronger enclosures.