MASON CITY – Due to a recent increase in dog bite cases, the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health wants to remind residents about the “Dangerous Dog Ordinance” that was implemented in 2013.
Learn more about how this law was passed by the Cerro Gordo county supervisors.
The “Dangerous Dog Ordinance” was passed to protect the public. It provides a process that can be followed and legally enforced to deal with dog bite incidents, or cases where dogs have not bitten but behaved aggressively. The ordinance provides guidelines to dog owners of the responsibilities and liabilities they have as the owner. For example, all dogs in Cerro Gordo County must wear an identification tag that tracks the name and address of the dog owner and current vaccination records.
The ordinance also details the definition of a “potentially dangerous dog” vs. a “dangerous dog”. It is required that all dog bites be reported immediately to the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health by the dog owner or local law enforcement. The ordinance also explains the restrictions and penalty process for dogs labeled “potentially dangerous” or “dangerous”. Fines for violating the ordinance can be assessed up to $1,000 or 30 days imprisonment.
“Our goal is to keep residents and their families’ safe,” said Brian Hanft, Deputy Director at the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health. “This ordinance provides dog owners with rules to be followed, and a written penalty process should an incident occur.”
The Cerro Gordo County ordinance is not breed specific. To review the entire ordinance, visit this page.
Got 2 dogs, guns loaded, and I’m a registered republican.
Dogs usually only bite for a reason. They need to look at each case separately. If it is the dogs fault fine, if it is the owner than the owner should be fined. If it is the person bit and they were aggravating the dog then that is their own fault. All dogs will bite if their is a reason.
It’s real simple, if a dog bites someone, put the dog down.Make these owners be responsible for these dogs and fine them also. If these dogs are in my yard, I will shoot them. Eliminate the problem
Here’s a real moron. Maybe you’d be happier if you owned a dog. Sorry you’ve had such a miserable life.
A wacko with a gun. How comforting
Must be a Damocrat!