Charles proposal puts stricter control on pit bulls

Proposed new animal regulations for Charles County include stricter controls on pit bulls, bulldogs and other “pit bull terrier-type” breeds, deeming them “potentially dangerous,” a label previously reserved for animals that had attacked or threatened a person or animal.
The proposed change aims at reducing the general public’s contact with these dogs, according to a presentation compiled by county staff members.
The impetus behind considering the new rules was a fatal mauling of a housecat by two at-large pit bulls, Chief of Animal Control Services Ed Tucker told the Charles County commissioners Tuesday.
The rules, backed by hefty fines for violations, would apply to the American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire bull terrier and American bulldog as well as “dogs which have the appearance of being predominantly of the breeds of dog listed above,” including any dog listed as one of these breeds on any kind of official paperwork.
As potentially dangerous animals under the law, owners of pit bull-type dogs would have to have the dogs microchipped and report the microchip number to Charles County Animal Control.
Also, any owner who keeps or lets the dog outside would have to fence off all or part of his yard, then create a smaller, locked and secure enclosure for the dog that does not touch the outer fence. If outside the secure kennel, the owner would have to leash and accompany the dog, even inside the outer fence.
Violations of rules governing potentially dangerous animals would carry fines ranging from $50 to $500, while flouting rules for pit bull-type dogs would carry the risk of an additional fine of between $200 and $1,000, to be determined by the Animal Matters Hearing Board.
The proposal has been discussed on websites dedicated to pit bulls, including GoPitBull.com, where someone identifying herself as an Austin, Texas, woman posted the names and email addresses of the county commissioners and urged readers on Monday to “voice your polite, respectful and informative opposition to breed specific legislation.”
Charles County showed up on at least two similar message boards as well.
Commissioner Ken Robinson (D) said he has received “hundreds” of emails on the subject, most apparently sent by nonresidents.
After Tucker’s presentation, commissioners’ President Candice Quinn Kelly (D) said the board needed time to consider the changes and that another work session would be held in September.
Opposition
Dozens of local residents turned out for the commissioners’ Tuesday work session to oppose the proposal.
Rachel Richards of Lexington Park showed up with one of her five pit bulls, Kari, in tow. She said she feared that if other jurisdictions start restricting the dogs, St. Mary’s County could be next.
Kari, a brown and white female wearing a bandana printed with the words “good dog,” lolled quietly at Richards’ feet or nuzzled her leg during the meeting. The 2-year-old was allowed in because she is a service dog providing psychological support, Richards said.
Richards compared rules targeting pit bulls to racial discrimination.