Wapato gets tough on dogs

WAPATO -- The city of Wapato has banned several breeds of dog, attaching a fine of up to $500 for violation of the new ordinance.

City Council members unanimously passed Monday an ordinance outlawing ownership of pit bull terriers or a mixture of those breeds. That includes mastiffs, Rottweilers or American bulldogs.

Under the ordinance, a person caught with such a dog would face a $250 fine for the first offense, and $500 fines for each subsequent
offense.

The only exceptions are for trained service dogs and for dogs certified as Canine Good Citizens by the American Kennel Association.

Council members hesitated to act on the proposed ban earlier this month, asking to explore ways to outlaw vicious dogs rather than certain breeds.

However, since the June 4 meeting, police have had to shoot a dog that was chasing people and cars, though it did not bite anyone. That seemed to change people's minds, said Mayor Jesse Farias, though there was still a lot of discussion before the decision.

"Since last time we met, police have had to destroy another animal," Farias said. "That was six in five months."

Also, council members took those two weeks to better define a dangerous dog, regardless of breed, said Refugio Roa, one of the nay-sayers the first time around.

"We've been on the same page," he said. "We just kind of wanted the wording a little different."

The new ordinance uses the state definition of a dangerous dog -- one that inflicts severe injury to a person or kills a domestic animal without provocation.

The city has more than its share of dog troubles. It has a tight budget that can't afford animal control services.

Last year, a 4-year-old girl was hospitalized after being mauled by dogs in an alley behind her home. She suffered bites to her scalp and back, but authorities were unable to get a description of the dogs.

In 2004, a 4-year-old boy nearly lost his arms after being viciously mauled by a pack of stray dogs that invaded his grandmother's west Wapato yard, just outside the city limits.

The ordinance won't have any authority in two nearby Yakama tribal housing projects because those fall under tribal jurisdiction.

The law will take effect in a few days, but the city will not begin enforcing it until it has had time to notify residents, Farias said. One idea is to send out a mass mailing in Spanish and English.

"It's only fair that we tell people in writing," he said.

* Ross Courtney can be reached at 930-8798 or rcourtney@yakimaherald.com.

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