Residents divided on dangerous dog legislation

Homewood residents are divided over whether Homewood needs new legislation in response to dangerous dogs. A survey of 180 people this week found that 47 percent think legislation is not needed, 12 percent think it is and 41 percent are unsure.

The survey also found that most people are against specific regulations around the ownership of certain types of dogs, such as pit bulls. Eighty percent said they did not support these regulations, 14 percent did support them and 6 percent were unsure.

In regard to what regulations would be helpful, the suggestions that were the most popular on the survey were increased fines for owners of loose dogs, stricter leash laws, bans on tethering dogs outside and increased fines and/or jail time for owners of dogs that attack humans or other pets.

Of the respondents, 68 percent live in Homewood and 17 percent work in Homewood, but do not live there. Eighty-three percent were dog owners.

The city’s public safety committee will discuss the issue again at its Aug. 17 meeting. It last met on Aug. 3 and discussed a wide variety of ways to reduce the number of dog attacks.