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Task force debates 'dangerous' animal definition and euthanasia policy
Summary
Members discussed changing breed-based language to behavior-based language in the draft ordinance, clarified that the animal control officer treats two proven bite incidents as the threshold for a dangerous animal, and recommended wording refinements and classification changes for swine.
Task force members debated how the ordinance should define a "dangerous" or "vicious" animal and how the enforcement process should work. Jessica Wicks asked whether the definition refers to types or breeds; the animal control officer said the operational threshold is two proven bite incidents, after which an animal is considered dangerous/vicious and will be euthanized per current practice.
Members pushed to make the ordinance breed-neutral and suggested changing wording from "any animal that constitutes" to "any animal that has demonstrated" the behavior. They also recommended expanding a defense clause to read "protecting or defending its young, other animal or itself." Chairman Jeffrey Miles asked that swine be removed from the exotic-animal section and, if needed, referenced under livestock or farm animals to account for pot-bellied pigs kept as pets.
