Dog Bite Solutions

Greg Owen

Attorney

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In October 2007, two letter carriers were separately attacked in Casper City Wyoming. In both incidences they were attacked by pit bulls. The dog attacks necessitated hospital visits, stitches and shots. The city is now looking into adding a link to the website informing people of the location of dogs that have been identified as vicious. Additionally, having an insurance policy on vicious dogs could become mandatory. This sounds like the least that should be done to protect the general public, don't you think.

In a meeting on Thursday the council discussed solutions that could be employed. Subsequently, they sent the issue to the Metro Animal Control committee. "Rick Sulzen, the Metro Animal Control manager, said one of the main problems in Natrona County is licensing of pets. If they don't [license pets], it lowers the city's ability to monitor pet behavior." For instance, last year Metro sold 5,600 licenses. However, there are approximately 45,000 pet dogs and cats in that area. Here's a solution. Notify pet owners that the fine for not licensing their pet(s) is extremely steep and make it extremely steep. I'll venture to guess that many of the 39,000 unlicensed pets become licensed in a hurry. It just won't be worth the risk of getting caught without a license and paying a very stiff fine. "In order to encourage more licensing of animals, the city may establish a program with local veterinarians asking them to promote the $5 yearly licensing fee along with the animal's annual rabies shot."