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CENTRAL POINT City ready to rein in bad dog owners Ordinance cracks down on barking, biting, wandering canines Comment By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 22, 2014 at 12:01 AM By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 22, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News CENTRAL POINT — Owners of wandering, excessively barking or dangerous dogs could be brought to heel by early February if council members in coming weeks grant final approval to an ordinance enforcing stiffer penalties for irresponsible dog owners. Police Chief Kris Allison said the proposed "dangerous dog ordinance," not unlike those adopted by other cities in the valley, would give the city's municipal court more tools to address issues with problem canines. The primary focus of the ordinance, Allison said, was to encourage responsible pet ownership. Council members last week gave an initial nod of approval. If given a final OK after a second reading slated for Jan. 8, the new ordinance would take effect within 30 days. If approved, the ordinance could enforce fines, sanctions and restrict dog ownership for repeat offenders who have dogs that bite, bark and wander at large. From July 2013 to July 2014, city police officers received 137 calls for service involving barking dogs and 111 for dogs wandering loose or "at large." Chief Allison estimated almost one dog bite (involving a person) per month and a dog-vs-dog bite incident once every other month. Wanting to avoid breed-specific legislation considered by other cities, Allison said the ordinance was focused on the owners rather than the type of dog.. "We wanted to make sure that pet owners, if they had a dog that had these types of tendencies to cause problems, that they take steps to prevent issues from coming up," Allison said. "Our ordinance is very similar to what other cities in the valley have adopted and we think that's a good thing because there's not a lot of difference from city to city. When we looked at other cities we felt they had done a good job and what we really want to focus on is responsible pet ownership," Downtown resident Allen Burns, whose dogs were victims of one of the city's more extreme incidents when they were badly injured by a roaming pit bull, supported the ordinance. However, he said, more should be done by Jackson County to support local municipalities, especially after hours when stray dogs cannot be surrendered to a particular location. "I think, as I've said all along, it's not a solution to the whole problem but it's a step in the right direction. The city did a good job in the fact that it isn't breed specific but it focuses on all dogs and on the owners," said Burns, whose two Weimaraners were attacked by a black pit bull in September 2012. One of his dog wound up with 80 stitches and the veterinarian bill totaled more than $1,500. The owner was never identified. "The thing that still concerns me," Burns said, "is even with this ordinance, they still have the issue of after-hours and weekend-type problems because, if there's a call, what do the officers do when they pick up a dog?" Burns said he was hopeful that the efforts would really hold irresponsible pet owners accountable. "I think the ordinance will at least put pressure on some really crappy pet owners," said Burns. "It's too bad it comes to this, to have to cite people for being crummy owners." "My personal opinion is that I think it will make a difference but I think that (county) animal control really needs to step up, since this is their job, and support the cities and help provide the resources they're paid to provide. From a city standpoint, something like this is better than doing nothing."  Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected]. By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 22, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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