COUNCIL CONSIDERS VICIOUS ANIMAL ORDINANCE

The Logansport City Council gave preliminary approval last night to an ordinance addressing vicious animals. The ordinance would allow the Chief of Police to order the destruction of an animal if it is wild and presents a danger to people or if it’s a domestic animal that is running at large outside its owner’s property and bites a person. The Police Chief will consider the animal’s history, any previous citations or warnings by law enforcement, the animal’s behavior and the extent of damage done to the victim, as well as the animal’s disposition. If the Chief of Police orders the destruction of a domestic animal, it will be impounded and held until the order can be carried out, but that won’t happen until the Board of Public Works has considered the matter and votes to uphold the chief’s order. The owner and victim can present evidence to the Board of Works concerning the chief’s order. If the Board votes to uphold the order to destroy the animal, it would not be carried out for at least 10 days following the Board of Works Vote -- the owner would be responsible for any and all costs regarding the boarding and humane extermination of the animal. The city council passed the measure unanimously on first reading.