Merrillville considers changes to dangerous dog laws

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Updated: November 22, 2011 8:28AM

MERRILLVILLE — The Town Council is considering entering into on-call services with local veterinarians as it looks to plug up holes in its dangerous animal ordinance.

Kenneth Woodside, who runs the town’s small claims court, told council members at a Wednesday workshop that some residents who have received tickets for their pit bulls have had the case thrown out in court because they get a letter from their veterinarian saying the dog is a Staffordshire terrier, not a pit bull.

He said it is difficult to tell the difference between the two breeds, one of which is dangerous and the other that is not.

“This creates a dangerous element in the community,” Woodside said.

The current ordinance states that the owners of pit bulls and other dangerous dogs must have $300,000 in liability insurance. The dogs also must not be allowed to run loose.

Councilman Shawn Pettit, D-6th, suggested the town hire an independent veterinarian on a contract basis who would determine the breed of an animal that has been ticketed for being dangerous.

“We’ll add an extra $25 to $50 to the ticket cost to get the town’s money back,” Pettit said.

Councilwoman Carol Miano, D-3rd, suggested they eliminate all breeds in the ordinance and just say it deals with all dangerous dogs, but it was pointed out that would eliminate the need for pit bull owners to carry the additional insurance.

Miano said it is not usually the dog that is dangerous, but the way the owner raises it.

The ordinance problem came up at last week’s town council meeting, when some residents complained of loose pit bulls in their neighborhood attacking people.

One man said he was attacked by a pit bull as he went to his mailbox and another woman said she and her dog were attacked by a pit bull as she was walking it.

The council said town attorney Steve Bower would craft a revised ordinance with the help of the town’s animal control officer.

In other matters, the council decided to close the town hall whenever the Merrillville School Corp. closes its schools for weather-related causes.

Town Administrator Howard Fink said the town departments needed uniformity in its closings.

Council President Tom Goralczyk, D-4th, said if residents listen to WJOB radio for school closings, they’ll know the town hall is closed as well.