The Baltimore City Council is joining county counterparts in cracking down on “dangerous animals.”
Seeking new restrictions on any animal — including dogs — that pose a danger to city residents, councilwoman Agnes Welch (D-9) will introduce a bill Monday requiring pet owners to build stronger cages and use muzzles while walking their pets.
The bill does not single out a specific type of species or breed, instead citing any “dangerous animal” with the “propensity to cause injury.”
The proposed law is similar to a measure proposed by Baltimore County Councilman Vince Gardina — however his bill specifically targeted American pit bull terriers.
Among the proposed restrictions are requirements that all “dangerous” pets be kept in cages made of mesh wire with a metal roof and that owners walking their pets must muzzle them in addition to using a leash.
Some members of the city council support the measure.
“We?ve had a lot of problems with pit bulls in my district,” said city councilman Mary Pat Clarke.
“I get a lot of complaints about them not being properly restrained or leashed,” she said.
City Council Vice President Robert Curran, who successful lobbied the Dixon administration to beef up the number of city animal inspectors from 14 to 16 this year also expressed support for stricter control of animals.
“In Lauraville we?ve had some dangerous dogs attack other people, and other people?s pets,” he said.
But Joy Freedman, a dog trainer on the city?s Vicious Dog Hearing Board, said that the proposed restrictions are counter productive.
“It would be better to focus on spay and neutering,” she said. ” If you?re forced to have to buy a muzzle and concrete cage — which is expensive — we may end up with more loose dogs.”
Freeman said the definition of what constitutes a dangerous pet is also too vague.
“You could have a 6-month-old Chihuahua who barked at someone?s kid, and the dog could be designated dangerous,” she said. “You?re inducing fear in people.”
