HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem VI-A
AGENDA BILL APPROVAL FORM
Agenda Subject Ordinance No. 5829 – City of Auburn – Dangerous DogDate:
Ordinance Fritz’s LawApril 28, 2004
Department:LegalAttachments:Budget Impact:
Ordinance No. 5829
Administrative Recommendation:
City Council introduce andadopt OrdinanceNo. 5829.
Background Summary:
Over the last few months, there have been several serious attacks by certain dogs within the City of
Auburn. This is not a problem unique to Auburn. However, Auburn City Code provisions currently do not
provide an adequate avenue for addressing dangerous dog attacks.In preparation for this Ordinance, the
City sought samples of Ordinances of other jurisdictions and engaged in with the study and evaluation of
various different ordinances by cities in Washingtonand elsewhere. It is evident from these Ordinances
that there are several strategies that are generally employed by cities, depending upon their particular
philosophy and the problems with which they are contending. Among the options that are employed in
somecities are breed specific ordinances, and othersthat are less specific, though still trying to provide a
dangerous dog regulation. State law also includes provisions that can be utilized by cities and can be
expanded upon by cities to address the dangerous dog problems.
The draft ordinance that is currently proposed for adoption has been discussed, evaluated and revised in
various different councilcommittee meetings, as wellas individual evaluations by staff and council
members. The languageof a prior draft was also subject of a significant amount of public comment at
the City Council meeting of April 19, 2004. The proposed (current draft) ordinance is the product of
significant consideration of the options and is the product of an effort to hold dog owners accountable for
the conduct of their dogs without being breedspecific. The regulation imposes a greater responsibility on
owners of dogs that are either known to have dangerous propensities or that pose a greater risk of
danger or harm to persons or pets. Although earlieralternatives developed in connection with dangerous
dog ordinances for the City of Auburn did include breed specific language and weight considerations, it
was decided that these optionswere not, at this point, necessary for the City for several reasons,
including the fact that many types of dogs, not just thosethat aremore typically identified in breed specific
A0419-1 A1.3.2
Reviewedby Council & Committees:Reviewed byDepartments & Divisions:
Arts CommissionCOUNCIL COMMITTEES:BuildingM&O
AirportFinanceCemeteryMayor
Hearing ExaminerMunicipal Serv.FinanceParks
Human ServicesPlanning & CD FirePlanning
Park BoardPublic WorksLegalPolice
Planning Comm.OtherPublic Works Human Resources
Action:
Committee Approval:YesNo
Council Approval: YesNoCall for Public Hearing ___/___/____
Referred to _________________________________ Until ____/___/____
Tabled ______________________________________ Until ___/___/____
Councilmember: Cerino Staff: Heid
Meeting Date: May 3, 2004 Item Number: VI.A