Discussion about animals that are prone to behavioral problems may lead to revisions to the dangerous domestic animal ordinance for Ames.

Calls for revisions to the ordinance were first put out earlier this year, after a number of attacks by pit bulls were recorded.

“We got a letter on May 8 requesting pit bulls be better regulated,” said Chuck Cychosz, Ames Police chief. “This sprang from an attack on April 24, where a pit bull killed a terrier, and injured another dog and their owner.”

Following this, he was asked to enhance the current ordinance and make it more effective.

The document defines a dangerous animal as one that has seriously injured a person without provocation, seriously injured or killed an animal at the animal’s own initiative, is owned primarily for animal fighting or presents a public risk of attack from breeding, training or behavior.

The major changes made so far were to enhance the definitions of “serious injury by animal” and “provocation for attack.” The document states that anyone who owns an animal that could be defined as dangerous is required to “prove financial responsibility for any injury or damage that may be caused by the animal,” and lists a number of handling requirements.

“This is not a breed-specific law. We are trying to identify animals that need special handling to protect the public,” Cychosz said.

According to the document, if an animal control officer determines the owner has failed to meet these requirements and the animal presents a risk of harm to the public, the officer can order the animal to be euthanized within 10 days. The owner is allowed to appeal this process, in which case a hearing is held for the animal. An appeal can also be filed to determine whether the animal in question is dangerous. Finally, if an animal listed as dangerous has not attacked anything or shown overly aggressive behavior for 36 months after being registered as dangerous, then it is possible for the animal to be reviewed and have the registration lifted.

“I feel this is on a responsible track to protect people and their pets on both sides of the issue,” said Piper Wall, of Ames. “If there is an ordinance, it should be one that actually does what it sets out to do, not just to blanket dogs who are labeled as dangerous or to protect the City Council from lawsuits.”

Members of the Cyclone Country Kennel Club have varied stances on the legislation.

“The thing is any animal could be a victim of a bad situation at any time,” said Brenda Boell, secretary of the club. “But if poor legislation goes through, then it increases the potential number of victims. While there are some things that need to be improved in my opinion, overall it will probably be pretty good.”

Wall hopes the addition of a financial responsibility clause will have its intended effect.

“It should be a normal legal system thing, but apparently that’s not working out so well. If your pet injures someone or damages something, you should pay for it right now, no matter how inconvenient it might be for you,” she said.

Joan Doran, of Ames, owns a so-called dangerous dog herself: a 3-year-old pit bull terrier named Courage. She’s aware of the stigma around that breed and the relative ease with which this new ordinance could single them out. She is trying to spread information about it as much as she can so people can voice their concerns about the ordinance.

In an e-mail she sent to members of the Cyclone Country Kennel Club, she wrote, “You may have to deal with this someday. This is your opportunity to have a voice. Use it.”

Wall said she thinks a key point should be whom this ordinance targets.

“If someone has an animal with behavior problems, but is working with them in a responsible setup, then this ordinance should not target them and make their life difficult,” she said.

The first reading of the new ordinance at the City Council meeting Sept. 25 was sent back for further review, to give more groups of people a chance to meet with officials and discuss it.

“We’ve gotten some comments from dog owners and thought that some additional time to further discuss the issue would not be inappropriate,” Cychosz said.

While it will be impossible to satisfy everyone, it seems as if the City Council and police are taking as much time as it takes to do just that.

“Not only do I own a big dog, but I have three little ones too, so I can see this issue from both sides,” Doran said. “I just hope the council gets it right for both types of owners.”