Some things have been getting me mad lately.  I can feel my blood boiling. But I suppose I wouldn't be moved to do anything about these things if I didn't get mad.

Case in point: the gentleman next door who insists on keeping 4 adult pitbulls, 2 of them inbred. I walk by with my dogs and the pits go crazy, lunging, barking growling, making the most horrific noises. I'm talking Damien, Omen 2. To make matters worse, he doesn't keep them on leash. One of the pits tore a slat off the wooden fence between our properties and threatened to get through, prompting us to call the dog officer. We have video of this dog tearing through the fence. I don't understand it , but this is apparently not enough to declare these dogs vicious.

This is why I'm going to the city council meeting this Tuesday to speak in favor of the vicious dog ordinance. I'm for anything at this point that will enable the authorities to take some action against irresponsible dog owners. I've read the ordinance and it does not single out any breed. It establishes criteria and a process for labelling a dog of any breed vicious based on the dog's behavior. It strengthens existing dog laws by increasing fines and penalties. I am attaching a draft copy I recieved from the city council in case you want to read it.

A public hearing on Lynn's “Vicious Dog” ordinance is scheduled for Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 402 at City Hall. This ordinance is sponsored by Councilman Wayne Lozzi and strengthens current vicious dog laws to protect the public from vicious dogs and their negligent owners.

Among other things, it would require that the owner of the property where a vicious dog resides take out a $100,000 liability insurance policy for the benefit of public safety. Even if you don't agree with this particular solution, your voice is needed to push through some kind of reform. With all the incidents of dog attacks that have been in the news for the past few years, it is time for Lynn to strengthen its dog ordinance.

The new ordinance stipulates that no owner shall fail to exercise proper care and control of his animals to prevent them from becoming a public nuisance. Go to this public hearing and voice your concerns. Dog attacks are preventable if we enforce current laws, strengthen them where needed and make it difficult for negligent owners to keep them.