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Mobile resident urges stronger penalties after dog mauling; city says ordinances under review
Summary
At the Dec. 2 Mobile City Council meeting, resident Mary Pettit described a dog attack that killed her cat and urged the council to strengthen penalties for irresponsible dog owners; city staff said they are working with legal counsel to redraft the vicious-dog ordinance and consider stiffer penalties.
Mary Pettit told the Mobile City Council on Dec. 2 that she witnessed ‘‘the murder of our beloved cat, Vincent’’ at about 7 a.m. on Nov. 23 and called for harsher penalties for irresponsible dog owners.
"This is the most vicious, violent act I have ever witnessed," Pettit said, describing her 86-year-old mother's distress and saying the dogs involved were known to animal control. She said she started an online petition that had garnered more than 125 signatures by the time she spoke to the council.
The resident asked the council to improve coordination between police and animal control and to increase fines and penalties so owners take responsibility. "It is up to you to set the city ordinances to do this," she said.
In response, an administration official told the council that staff are working with the city's legal team to redraft several ordinances, specifically referencing the vicious-dog ordinance and penalties. "Penalties are one of the things we're looking at to address that," the official said, adding changes could be brought forward in the next couple of weeks.
The council did not take immediate formal action on the complaint during the meeting; the administration's comments indicate staff-level work is under way to propose ordinance changes for future consideration.
