Lubbock, TX: Residents urge tougher dog laws after horses killed

Texas state law prohibits BSL, so Lubbock cannot consider BSL an option.

http://lubbockonline.com/stories/111309/loc_515862312.shtml

Residents urge tougher dog laws after horses killed

By Robin Pyle | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Friday, November 13, 2009
Story last updated at 11/13/2009 – 10:15 am

A Lubbock resident who recently witnessed two pit bulls killing his brother’s miniature horses urges the city to strengthen its dog laws.

Ray Summers said Lubbock continues to have a problem with loose dogs nearly two years after former city leaders vowed to find a solution following a rash of dog attacks on animals and people.

The 2008 attacks, which led to intense media attention and public outcry, included two miniature horse deaths, goats and other animals. A child also was injured.

Animal services officials say they have stepped up enforcement efforts since early 2008, but agree issues remain.

“It’s still out there and it’s still a problem,” said Shawn Byrd, the city’s shelter supervisor.

In recent weeks, police officers have shot and killed two pit bulls – one case where a pit bull attacked a smaller dog in the dog’s backyard, and another where a pit bull charged at officers as they tried to serve a drug warrant, police reports show.

In August, a local officer fatally shot a pit bull when it lunged at him. The officer suffered injuries.

“It’s a problem; it’s going to continue to be a problem,” Summers said. “Until the city does something, it’s going to continue.”

Summers returned home about 7:30 a.m. Nov. 3 to find his brother’s two miniature horses under attack.

“They chewed a big hole in the cedar fence,” he said.

The retired firefighter chased one of the dogs away, grabbed a tree limb and tried to get the other dog off one of the horses.

“The dog kept trying to attack me,” Summers said.

Both horses had severe throat and head injuries and had to be put down. Animal services officials caught one of the dogs. It was put down early this week. He said the other dog remains loose.

Summers said he believes a stiff fine for irresponsible dog owners would put a stop to the problem.

He suggests a $5,000 fine each time a dog gets loose.

Now residents face a Class C misdemeanor citation with up to a $500 fine.

Owners whose dogs attack a human and cause serious bodily injury could face felony charges after a 2007 state law.

Melanie Tatum, who was involved with Hearts and Hooves when two of its miniature horses were killed by pit bulls, is disappointed by what she feels is a lack of action on the city’s part.

She recently pleaded in front of City Council members to strengthen the dog laws.

“They’re not doing anything about it,” Tatum said.

The council did recently pass an ordinance to address loose dogs.

The ordinance will require all pets be spayed or neutered if authorities catch them loose on two occasions, said Quincy White, assistant city manager.

“That’s a major change,” he said of the ordinance, which goes into effect in January.

White thinks it will improve the problem in Lubbock and reduce the number of unwanted animals.

“I think people will be more careful in how they secure their animals,” he said.

Meanwhile, animal control officers have been trying to increase response times to animal calls and are setting large traps to catch more loose dogs.

And Byrd said officials have been more aggressive in pursuing dangerous-animal hearings – there are generally two to three a month.

County Commissioner Bill McCay said the commissioners court has worked with the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office to strengthen efforts to address the problem in the county.

He said while officials have not increased the number of animal control officers – the county has one – they have made a change in personnel and worked to better utilize resources.

“We have seen, from our perspective, some improvement,” McCay said, noting he hasn’t received any complaints lately.

Commissioners plan to look into the issue again during the next budget cycle this summer, he said. Once the new detention facility is open, they will be able to shift focus to law enforcement, he added.

“There continues to be more and more demands in the county because the county continues to grow,” McCay said. “We’re very aware of the increased demand for services in the county.”

He urges residents to be responsible pet owners.

“Good fences make good neighbors,” he said. “That’s the best defense by far is to have a good sturdy fence.”