GEORGIA -- Two pit bull dogs attacked humans this week and a city council member said Wednesday she wants those who own vicious dogs to know they can be held accountable.
Council Member Lila Bryan called police to 118 Avenue E just after noon Feb. 11 after her neighbor's pit bull was able to escape through a hole in a chain link fence. The dog later tried to attack Animal Control Officer Bobby Ellington.
A second, unrelated incident occurred the same day on John B. Gordon Road. A man reported he was forced to defend himself with a shotgun after a pit bull chased and tried to bite him twice.
Officer Ellington, in an incident report on file at the Thomaston Police Department, describes the first event.
"I saw a brindle pit bull running loose. As I approached, the dog attacked," he wrote. "I went to the back of the truck and loaded the tranquilizer gun to capture the dog."
Ellington radioed for back-up, according to the report. "I was able to tranquilize the dog. He attacked me again, causing me to fall and injure my right leg."
Ellington told The Times, "If that dog had gotten hold of a child, the child would have been mauled. This dog has the potential to inflict severe injury to humans."
Bryan said the dog would lunge at the gate and fence. She said when she realized the animal was loose, she was worried.
"It's pretty bad when a resident is scared to go outside," Bryan said.
A report of the second incident was on file at the Upson County Sheriff's Department.
"Martin Jones stated that a black and white pit bull tried to bite him and chased him in the house," according to the report. "He went back outside to his vehicle and the dog tried to bite him again. He shot at the dog with the shotgun, but wasn't sure if he hit the dog."
Ordinances regarding dangerous dogs passed by the City Council and County Commissioners are almost identical, but the manager of Upson County's Animal Shelter said unlike the city, he has no authority to enforce the law.
Under the ordinances a dog can be classified as dangerous or potentially dangerous after the owner is notified in writing and a hearing is held.
"At the hearing, the owner of the dog will be given the opportunity to testify and present evidence and in addition, the board shall receive evidence and hear such other testimony as the board may find reasonably necessary to make a determination."
Owners of dogs deemed dangerous or potentially dangerous, according to local ordinances, must possess a "certificate of registration" designating the animal as a possible threat.
The owner must provide "a proper enclosure to confine the dangerous dog" and must post a sign warning visitors of the dog's presence.
Owners of dogs deemed dangerous, according to local ordinances, must also purchase at least $15,000 in insurance as liability against personal injuries inflicted by the animal.
"The owner of a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog shall notify the dog control officer within 24 hours if the dog is on the loose, is unconfined, has attacked a human, has died or has been sold or donated.
"If the dog has been sold or donated, the owner shall also provide the dog control officer with the name, address and telephone number of the new owner."
(Thomaston Times - Feb 13, 2004)
