The Guthrie Center City Council unanimously passed the first reading of a proposed dangerous/vicious animal ordinance Monday night.

The ordinance identifies ‘dangerous animals’ as those known to show aggressive behavior, including biting, chasing and barking at human beings or other domestic animals. Additionally, numerous breeds of dogs are specified as being dangerous animals, including Pit Bull variations, Doberman Pinschers, Chows, German Shepherds, Malamutes, Wolf hybrids, Belgian Shepherds, Akitas, Rottweilers and others. Most wild animals kept as pets are also defined as being dangerous animals.

All dangerous animals must be registered with the City Clerk’s office annually. Additionally, owners of dangerous animals are required to carry a minimum of $100,000 liability insurance to cover any damage, injury or death caused by their animal. Plus, all dangerous animals must be kept indoors or in an outdoor pen which they cannot escape.

Vicious animals are defined as any animal that has bitten or attacked a person without provocation, any animal trained specifically to fight or attack and any animal deemed vicious by City officials. Vicious animals are prohibited in the city by the ordinance

Violations of the ordinance are deemed municipal infractions and are subject to fines. The City Council is expected to hold the second reading of the ordinance at the Council meeting scheduled for February 8th.

You can read the full ordinance below.