Editorial: Targeting owners of aggressive pets

Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006 | 8:16 a.m.

A proposal under consideration by Clark County and three area cities would make it tougher and more expensive to own an animal deemed dangerous by animal control officials.

The ordinance, written by Clark County, is to be discussed today by officials from the county, North Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City. The proposal, which will later be submitted to elected officials for consideration, is similar to an existing measure in Las Vegas that is designed to protect residents from animals that bite other animals or people.

The proposal would require owners of animals labeled as "dangerous" by animal control officers to sterilize the pet, obtain a permit, carry a $100,000 liability insurance policy and have a microchip implanted in the animal for identification.

If the animal attacks a person or another animal in a manner that causes substantial bodily harm or death, the animal would be labeled "vicious" and be subject to euthanasia. In the event of such a recommendation, the animal's owner would be entitled to file an appeal with the county or city imposing the penalty and also seek to overturn it in court.

A Las Vegas Sun story Wednesday shows the number of dog bites reported in Las Vegas declined after the city's ordinance went into effect in 2001. Records show 759 bites were reported in 1999 compared to 628 reported in 2004. Figures for 2005 were not available.

But in a region where people governed by ordinances in different municipalities can live across the street from each other, it doesn't make sense for rules guiding the ownership of aggressive animals to apply to only a small segment of the population.

Clark County ordinances already include some of the proposal's provisions. But this measure would make the difference between vicious and dangerous behaviors more clear and, if passed by all municipalities, provide consistent enforcement.

Opponents say obtaining liability insurance is difficult, and they fear the measure would allow animal control officers to pick on certain dog breeds, such as pit bulls. But the proposal applies to all animals, not just to dogs. And the cost and trouble of obtaining insurance coverage pales when compared to the tragedy of a person or pet being maimed or killed by an aggressive animal. Responsible pet owners who properly restrain their animals have nothing to fear from such measures.