EVERETT — The city plans to edit its code about “dangerous” dogs and add more rules to owning one.
Breed-specific language is out. The state is prohibiting cities from branding specific breeds, such as pit bulls, as “dangerous” starting in January.
Everett has been regulating pit bulls as “potentially dangerous dogs” and requiring them to be securely kept. A few other cities banned pit bulls outright.
But while Everett city code writers deleted breed-specific language, they also are adding more rules on how “dangerous” dogs are kept and classified.
A dog would get flagged as “dangerous,” including “potentially dangerous,” for bad behavior when unprovoked: It gets on this list if it severely injures a person or another animal, or behaves menacingly in public, such as snapping or lunging, when unprovoked. It can be put on the list regardless of breed.
The city would newly accept verbal complaints against pets to have animal control investigate under the proposed rule. The city only used to take written complaints.
Animal control officers decide whether a dog gets on the list.
On average, few dogs are classified as “dangerous” each year, Everett Animal Shelter manager Glynnis Fredricksen said.
What it means for you is that if your dog is flagged as “dangerous” or “potentially dangerous,” under the proposed new language you must now:
• Always keep the dog in a secured fence area or on a physical leash.
• Have a yearly inspection of the fenced enclosure for the dog. This is new. This rule is about the property, meaning landlords would need to comply on behalf of their renters. And, if you fail inspection, you would have to pay $50 for a re-inspection.
• Not take the dog off the property unless it is muzzled.
• Notify the city’s animal control if the dog is loose, or if you’ve transferred ownership to someone else. And, if you transfer it to someone else, you would have to give the city details about the new owner.
• Provide a death certificate to city animal control if the dog dies.
• Have the dog spayed or neutered. You wouldn’t be able to say no. “Dangerous” dogs already require being microchipped.
The City Council will be asked to approve the new language at its Nov. 6 meeting.
Owners can appeal to get their dog off the list to the manager of the Everett Animal Shelter after 36 months of good behavior. Dogs can be confiscated from their owners if they’re considered a dangerous dog and are outside their enclosure, such as if they escape the yard.
Violating the rules could mean if you’re convicted then you won’t be able to own any dogs for two years under the proposed changes, and if the city kennels or euthanizes the dog, you’ll now be billed.
The city’s animal shelter
advisory board has reviewed the proposed rule changes and recommended them.
