Guthrie County Board of Supervisors Continue to Discuss Dog Bite Ordinance

(Guthrie Center) At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Guthrie County Public Health Director Jotham Arber reviewed the proposed animal bite ordinance. The proposal is in response to some specific cases of dogs out in the County that have left their owner’s property and attacked farmers on their land. Arber feels it is appropriate to have something in place at the county level for repeat offenders dogs.

Arber walked through the proposed template with the health board last week and shared it with the supervisors.

Arber says they are not entirely sure how County would enforce the ordinance. As far as investigations and quarantines, the state mandates this as the responsibility of the board of health. However, when it involves the removal of vicious animals, that’s another discussion.

Arber doesn’t believe the County should ban a dangerous dog; however, some requirements must be met.

Arber says the proposal allows for dangerous dogs, however, if the dog bites a human then it becomes labeled as a vicious dog, and needs to be removed.

Arber wants to form a small group of people to discuss certain issues, such as enforcement, removal, cost, and consequences, with the board of supervisors, board of health, and sheriff’s office and how to proceed with this proposed animal bite ordinance.