Sydney Cromwell
Animal Control Ordinance
HPD Lt. Ross and animal control officer Robbe Bagby present their research and recommendations on aggressive dog ordinances to the public safety committee.
Owners of pit bulls and other aggressive dog breeds could find themselves subject to new restrictions in the future.
At its July 20 meeting, the public safety committee heard from animal control officer Robbie Bagby Hurst and Lt. Ross about the possibility of new ordinances for aggressive dogs. Hurst and Ross brought research about ordinances in other area cities, as well as recent dog attack incidents in Homewood.
While other Over the Mountain communities do not have any ordinances about specific dog breeds, Ross said they are a growing nationwide trend. Some cities ban aggressive breeds outright or require owners to register their dogs with the city. Other municipalities have housing restrictions, such as keeping these breeds indoors or within specific fencing types, carrying extra insurance for their ownership or using a leash or muzzle when walking their dogs.
Currently, Homewood ordinances state that owners of violent animals can be subject to a fine of up to $500 and up to 190 days in jail.
There have been several incidents in the past six months of loose dogs attacking people and pets in the city, Hurst said. Ross noted that police have had to use deadly force on attacking animals at least eight times in the past four years.
One of those occurred July 3 in the Parkside Circle area. A woman was attacked by loose pit bulls and the responding officer shot one of the animals. The second is still in city custody and displaying aggression, Hurst said. The owner was uncooperative and was arrested, awaiting trial July 28.
“I can attest to you that they can lock down on you and they don’t let go because I’ve been a victim of it on the job in the '80s," Hurst said.
She said an attack happened on July 6 and another earlier this week, though deadly force was not required in either instance. Hurst has seen dogs running loose in the evenings and weekends while she is off-duty.
Hurst said she supports an ordinance similar to the city of Gadsden, prohibiting tethering of aggressive breeds and regulating fencing types. She thinks these changes, with the possible addition of permit requirements for owners of these breeds, would reduce the number of calls she gets.
“My concern here is public safety," Hurst said. "There’s a lot of people that get out and walk their pets on a leash and they’re very responsible. And of course safety for myself and other officers.”
Other changes she mentioned included muzzle requirements and fines for violation of the new ordinance. Ward 1 Representative Michael Hallman suggested a limit on the number of aggressive dogs an individual can own.
Ward 3 Representative Patrick McClusky said the committee members will consider and continue to discuss the issue, and there will be opportunities for public input before an ordinance is approved. He also said a decision will not be made at the next council meeting.
Later that evening, the planning and development committee chose to form an ad hoc parking solutions committee. The committee consists of Ward 1 Representative Britt Thames, City chief of staff J.J. Bischoff, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Meredith Drennen, and two business owners who attended the meeting, Kevin McCain and Mark Westfall.
The committee will seek solutions to the lack of downtown parking and will solicit input from other business owners and the department of engineering, planning and zoning. The ad hoc committee will report its recommendations back to the planning and development committee for action.
