MIRAMAR--Pressed by an increase in the number of dangerous dogs, city officials are looking to more strictly regulate animals.

The City Commission has given preliminary approval to changes in the code that identifies dangerous dogs and penalizes those who do not take care of their animals.

The new code would define a dangerous dog as one that has bitten a person or has killed or injured a domestic animal while on its owner's property.

Dogs that, unprovoked, "approached any person in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack upon the streets, sidewalks or any public grounds" also would be classified as dangerous.

A dog that is provoked or attacks another person to defend its owner would not be considered dangerous. Neither would a dog that attacks a person who has invaded its space or trespassed its owner's house.

Owners found in violation of the code must go before a special master and make adjustments to ensure the dog doesn't pose a threat.

In recent years, following Miami-Dade County's ban on pit bulls, the city has seen a growth in stray dogs, many trained by previous owners for dog fighting, according to Robert Morgan of the city's Community Standards and Code Enforcement Department.

That background makes them a threat to residents and other animals, he said.

"I do believe that in some respects we've become a dumping ground," Morgan said.

Code enforcement officers have been trying to regulate the animals, but the city code was vague and did not give officers authority to intervene with animals creating a problem from a private house.

The new regulations allow officers to cite owners who are keeping their animals in inhumane conditions or are causing a nuisance to others, even on private property. They also ban bird hunting in the city.

The City Commission will make a final decision on the new regulations on April 18.

(source) Sun Sentinel (Milton D. Carrero Galarza) 3-28-04