After an attack on a dog in December, Royal Oak Michigan was considering instituting a breed specific law. Monday March 18th the Board of Commissioners met in Royal Oak to discuss amendments to the cities dangerous dog laws.
City Attorney David Gillam recommended that Royal Oak adopt an ordinance similar to Farmington Hills and Wyandotte, which both have three classifications for dogs: dangerous, potentially dangerous and all others. Currently, Royal Oak has no way to address dogs that do not technically meet the definition of dangerous but that have exhibited behavior that would allow officials to reasonably conclude that the dog may become a threat to the community. It short they have no “potentially dangerous” classification.
Officials will also be conducting a “dog census.” Council members said that almost all dogs that have been found at large or involved in a bite were unregistered. The census will be an attempt to begin getting a handle on exactly how many dogs there are in town and increasing registration numbers.
The following is an excerpt from the commission meeting letter on this matter from last night.
“The chief of police has discussed the issue with the City’s Animal Control Officer. At this time, neither the Police Department nor my office supports the adoption of a breed specific ordinance here in Royal Oak.”
The full letter can be found here.
Congratulations to Royal Oak advocates on a job well done.
Fred M. Kray
krisdiaz9
Stop BSL 