Dallas seeks input on potential new dangerous dog rules

The City of Dallas says its working hard to catch up with its dangerous dog problem, but it wants input from citizens on potential new rules.

Dallas Animal Services officers catch 40 loose dogs on an average day and some of those are dangerous. The DAS director said they're making strides on the loose dog problem, but a tougher city ordinance would help.

Members of the city's newly formed dangerous dog task force held a public meeting on Monday. Up for discussion -- trying to beef up the city's current dangerous dog ordinance.

“Should there be a limit on how many dangerous dogs someone can own? Should there be a limit on how long before they can get another dog? that's really why we're having this discussion so we can ultimately go to city Council with a proposal,” said Ed Jamison, DAS director.

Jamison said under the current ordinance there is little his office can do if a dog attacks another domestic animal and no human is injured.

Dallas County Animal Services Officer Marcus Henry spends every work day responding to dozens of calls for loose and dangerous dogs. On Monday he was in an Oak Cliff neighborhood, off Westmoreland Drive, trying to catch a tan-colored dog. The woman who called in the complaint to 311 says the dog keeps getting loose from her neighbor's yard -- and she's afraid her little dogs are in danger.

“Those are my babies and I take care of them and I try to keep them as safe as I can, but if the dog comes in my yard that's the worst thing,” said resident Claudia Limes.

Since that loose dog's owner was not home, the animal services officer was only able to write a warning notice and will return in a few days to follow up.

The task force plans to hold a few more public hearing before making a recommendation. Those hearings will be posted on the city's website.