Town decides against dog ban

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Town decides against dog banAssociated PressPublished Friday, May 30, 2008KENMARE, N.D. - Owners of pit bulls, Rottweilers and Doberman pinchers inKenmare won't have to get rid of them if they license the dogs and keep themsecure. Kenmare City Council members originally proposed banning some dog breedsthey considered potentially dangerous, but decided this week to regulatethem instead. The revised ordinance allows people in the town of about 1,000 who have pitbulls, Rottweilers and Doberman pinchers to keep them if the dogs areregistered and licensed before June 1. Owners must provide proof ofliability insurance in the amount of at least $300,000 and must secure thedogs. Dogs that attack people or animals can be impounded until a hearing is held. City officials plan to enforce the ordinance starting June 15. Dog ownerswho fail to comply can be fined between $25 and $100 a day. Kenmare resident Randi Davis estimates it will cost her about $1,500 tocomply, but she is happy she will be able to keep her American Staffordshireterrier. The city ordinance defines the breed as a type of pit bull. "The only thing I didn't agree with is if I walk her on a leash throughtown, she has to wear a muzzle," Davis said. "But I usually don't walk herthrough town, anyway. Otherwise, everything is pretty much satisfactory.They are going to allow us to keep her." Davis' dog, Diamond, is one of two dogs in Kenmare known to be affected bythe ordinance. "They were willing to do those stipulations, so we were willing to work withthem," Mayor Roger Ness said of the owners. "I think everybody was happy.There were no hard feelings." While on their owners' property, the dogs must be securely confined and theowners must display a sign, visible from 20 feet, indicating a dangerous dogon the property. The sign must include a symbol warning for children whocannot read. When off their owner's premises, the ordinance says, the dogs must be on aleash or chain no longer than 5 feet and must be muzzled and under thecontrol of an adult. Copyright C 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The informationcontained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewrittenor redistributed without the prior written authority of The AssociatedPress.