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Council review: ordinance 6965 would add burden‑of‑proof language for dangerous‑dog appeals
Summary
Senior staff attorney Taryn Jones told the council ordinance 6965 would add an explicit burden of proof for dangerous dog designation appeals in the hearing examiner chapter to align city code with constitutional requirements; staff said dangerous dog appeals are rare (two in roughly five years).
Senior staff attorney Taryn Jones briefed the Auburn City Council study session on draft ordinance 6965, which would amend the hearing examiner chapter to specify the burden of proof for appeals of dangerous‑dog designations.
Jones said the change would put into the city code the burden the city has been operating under to meet constitutional requirements. “It is not that residents haven't had it. We've just been stipulating to taking on the burden, and this would put it into our code,” Jones told the council. She said dangerous‑dog designation appeals are uncommon, noting the city’s legal records showed two appeals in the last five years.
Council members asked whether the issue arose from any recent incidents and whether signage or other owner obligations apply. Jones said animal control reviews incidents first, then police and legal follow up when appeals are filed. She said the code requires restraints and other protective measures and that there are insurance requirements; she did not confirm whether yard signage is required and offered to follow up.
There was no formal council action recorded at the study session on ordinance 6965; staff presented background and answered council questions.
