By David Liscio / The Daily Item
LYNN - The City Council on Tuesday put teeth into a proposed ordinance regulating ownership of pit bull terriers following a rash of recent attacks on people.
City Council President Timothy Phelan initially sought an amendment to the existing dog law that would require pit bulls be muzzled when off the owner's property.
During a meeting of the Ordinance Committee, Ward 1 Councilor Wayne Lozzi asked that the proposal be strengthened with additional restrictions. The amendment Phelan submitted included a $300 fine for unmuzzled pit bulls and possible confiscation of the animal by Lynn or State Police or the city dog officer.
"I commend Councilor Phelan for putting forth his amendment to this ordinance, but putting a muzzle on these dogs does not go far enough," said Lozzi, who wants the dog officer and the landlord notified in writing whenever a resident or tenant harbors a pit bull.
The landlord would have 10 days to approve or deny the presence of a pit bull on the property.
In addition to the required notification, Lozzi's version of the law would restrict the walking of a leashed and muzzled pit bull to handlers age 18 or older and cap at two the number of pit bulls owned by any Lynn resident.
Councilor-at-large Daniel Cahill raised questions about local dog officer resources, potential problems in enforcing the law, and how to ensure violators to pay fines.
Attorney James Lamanna from the Law Department said unpaid fines can be addressed by attaching a lien on the violator's property, but the process would require a home rule petition from the state Legislature.
Placing restrictions on pit bulls has been a recurring theme in Lynn over the past three decades, most recently fueled by two unprovoked attacks during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. An 11-year-old boy was severely bitten by a pit bull that escaped its owner's basement, and an infant girl being carried by her father in a chest papoose pack was mauled by another pit bull.
"Common sense should have prevailed, but it didn't," said Ward 3 Councilor Darren Cyr, chairman of the Ordinance Committee and the Public Safety Committee. "(Pit bills) are used to intimidate. This has become a public safety issue."
Cyr said the issue can be further dissected but action must be taken immediately. "We have to respond to that," he said, referring to the vicious attacks. "We have to act."
A public hearing on the ordinance changes is scheduled before the whole council later this month.
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City Council President Timothy Phelan initially sought an amendment to the existing dog law that would require pit bulls be muzzled when off the owner's property.
"I commend Councilor Phelan for putting forth his amendment to this ordinance, but putting a muzzle on these dogs does not go far enough," said Lozzi, who wants the dog officer and the landlord notified in writing whenever a resident or tenant harbors a pit bull.
Everyone should register their pit bulls, just as all dogs should be registered! Those in violation face consequences. REGISTER YOUR DOG... NOT HARD! In addition to the required notification, Lozzi's version of the law would restrict the walking of a leashed and muzzled pit bull to handlers age 18 or older and cap at two the number of pit bulls owned by any Lynn resident.
One thing about these proposals, as with all pit bull restriction proposals anywhere: they are a reaction to recent pit bull incidents, in which the dogs may or may not have been pit bulls. The media never knows for sure and often they are wrong.
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