An alert for Hays was first issued in May 2009. Please continue to send your polite and respectful opposition to the city officials.
The 23 page ordinance can be found at this link:
http://assets.mediaspanonline.com/prod/3506971/Pitbullrdinance.pdf
Mayor and City Council
hschwaller4@yahoo.com
troy.hickman@hotmail.com
barbwasinger@ruraltel.net
cchannell@media-net.net,
rdcc@swbell.net,
City Manager
Toby Dougherty
tdougherty@haysusa.com
P.O. Box 490
1507 Main Street
Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 628-7320
Fax:(785) 628-7323
Assistant City Manager
Mark Loughry
mloughry@haysusa.com
City Clerk
Mr. Kim Rupp
krupp@haysusa.com
Phone: (785) 628-7300
Fax:(785) 621-2005
Commission going to the dogs
By KALEY CONNER
kconner@dailynews.net
Pit bulls still might be allowed within city limits, but owners soon could face stricter restrictions for keeping the particular breed.
When the Hays City Commission meets for a work session at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, it will consider an amended dog ordinance that automatically classifies pit bulls as "dangerous."
"It's not a ban," City Manager Toby Dougherty said. "The commission was reluctant to enact a ban the last time they discussed it, but they did recognize that there was a need for possibly some further regulations other than what we have right now."
This distinction would require pit bull owners to take additional precautions, such as providing the dog with an identification microchip, keeping the animals in secure confinement areas, and strict leash and muzzle requirements. Owners would be required to obtain public liability insurance in a single incident amount of at least $100,000.
If these guidelines are not adhered to, the dog could be subject to immediate seizure and impoundment. The owner could be fined or lose the license required to keep the pet in town.
Currently, dogs can be deemed "dangerous" only in court, usually following a biting incident or behavior issue. Dogs with a known propensity to attack or those trained for dog fighting also fall into this category.
This standard still would apply, but pit bulls would be the first breed automatically deemed dangerous. The ordinance lists several breeds of dogs commonly identified as a pit bull.
Another amendment would impose stricter penalties for pet owners who fail to register their animals annually by March 1. The delinquency fine would increase from $1 to $10 per month, with a maximum $50 fine.
The issue of regulating pit bulls in city limits surfaced in April after a pit bull attacked and killed a smaller dog, which was on a walk with its 10-year-old owner.
http://www.hdnews.net/Story/city110409
