Long Beach Tightens Vicious-Dog Rules

Owners of vicious dogs can be held liable for their pets’ actions and the dogs can be destroyed after a formal hearing, the Long Beach City Council agreed this week.

That means that impounded dogs that have not bitten anyone but show signs of viciousness can be subject to a hearing by the superintendent of animal control, who may rule that the animal must be destroyed. Currently, a dog would be destroyed usually only after it has bitten a person.

The change is expected to affect only a handful of animals in the city. Of about 60,000 dogs in Long Beach, 15 have been ruled vicious, according to Assistant City Manager John Shirey.

City Manager James Hankla noted that the proposed hearings are “a discretionary tool” to be used occasionally. Animal control officers do not have the personnel nor time to hold hearings each time “Mopsy gets out,” he said.

The package of new rules also includes increasing the fine for people who let their dogs run loose. The council does not have the authority to set bail schedules or impose fines, but it has recommended to the Long Beach Municipal Court increasing the fine for breaking the leash law from $20 to $50.

Councilman Wallace Edgerton, who questioned whether the new rules are too harsh, was the lone dissenter in the 7-1 vote on the new rules. Councilwoman Jan Hall was absent.