Alrita Randolph
February 18, 2010
LABI official: Tough times could be coming for La.
February 22, 2010
Life could soon become much more regulated for St. Mary Parish pit bull owners.
The parish council is considering a host of changes to its pit bull ordinance. Similar changes have been twice proposed, and the issue is expected to arise again at next Wednesday’s meeting.
Councilman Glen Hidalgo is seeking to tighten the reigns on pit bulls, saying the change would allow residents to “enjoy their property and neighborhoods without worrying about a dog running around that has the potential to maim, kill or maul them or their children.”
His proposed changes would require a microchip be implanted in all pit bulls. The device, which is inserted between the dog’s shoulder blades, would help identify the animal’s proper owner. Hidalgo also wants the premises where pit bulls are housed to be annually inspected.
A rough draft of the ordinance requires pit bull owners to be at least 21 years old; apply for a permit; pay a $50 annual fee; and to carry a $100,000 liability insurance policy.
The animal would also be required to be housed in a steel kennel – measuring a minimum of 4 feet wide, 7 feet long and 6 feet high – with a concrete floor.
“I’ve had enough,” the councilman exclaimed. “So, we’re going to allow owners to keep their animals but these two regulations, if not any others, will and must be met.”
Pit bulls complaints accounted for one-third of all reported grievances in 2009, according to Hidalgo. In all, 182 dog complaints – including all breeds – were received by the parish. Of those, 59 involved pit bulls.
Animal control also handled 24 dog bite cases last year in the unincorporated areas of St. Mary. Of those, 10 involved pit bulls.
Within the parish’s five municipalities, 31 dog bites – three of which were by pit bulls – were reported last year, Hidalgo said. “Again, all were trying to do is protect residents,” he noted.
When the measure was first raised last month, about 50 citizens attended to speak against it.
“I have owned pit bulls since the mid-1970s and I have had no complaints about how I have handled my animals,” Patterson resident Mike Thibodeaux told the council. “No dog maulings, no people bitten, no barking dog nuisance reports.”
Thibodeaux said owners who handle their animals properly would unfairly be penalized by the ordinance.
“People like me are getting the unfair financial burden placed on us and we’re responsible guys,” he explained. “I’m not saying there isn’t room for an ordinance. I’m just saying that people who are doing negative things – those are the ones that should be regulated.”
Centerville Luke Lipari, however, said he fears for the safety of his family and surrounding children because of the pit bulls a neighbor owns.
“I live about 150 yards away from a dog kennel where, one weekend, one of the pit bulls died and another one of the pit bulls started eating the (deceased) dog,” he said. “What would (the dogs) do with a child? There is a serious problem out there.”
Hidalgo said his ordinance is not intended to penalize law-abiding residents, but is aimed at less conscientious pet owners.
“I’m sympathetic to pit bull owners and to neighbors,” the councilman responded. “But I am also sympathetic to parents who can’t let their children out to play because of dogs in the neighborhood.”
The measure has councilmen split.
Councilman Chuck Walters questions bogging authorities down with more laws. “Who are these people, these irresponsible dog owners who are fighting these dogs against one another?” he asked. “I want to know who they are. They’re the ones we need to go after and get.”
By targeting only pit bulls, Walters contends Hidalgo’s ordinance disregards the other breeds on the loose on parish streets. “We just need to tighten up our efforts with our animals wardens.”
Councilman Albert Foulcard echoed Walters’ sentiment, saying banning the breed might not be the parish’s best option to solving the problem.
“I recently saw an interview with a man from Afghanistan who asked how he like America and he replied, ‘I like it a lot because everyone is free and happy,'” Foulcard said. “I don’t know how happy [local] people will remain if government keeps telling them what to do.
“Now, we are about to separate pit bull owners from Chihuahua owners and everyone else. It is not our job to determine who can or can’t own these dogs,” he added.
“[Pit bulls] are not a bad breed. I think it’s the owners. There is good and bad in every species here on earth,” Foulcard said.
Pit bulls complaints accounted for one-third of all reported grievances in 2009
