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Shawnee man is fighting for ‘vicious’ dogs

 
BY VALLERY BROWN | Published: May 4, 2009    Comment on this article Leave a comment

Vicious and dangerous dog ordinances in different Oklahoma communities have been challenged in municipal courts recently.

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DOG BITES BY THE NUMBERS
In Oklahoma City:

→$177: Minimum fine for dangerous animal violation.

→$272: Average fine assessed in 2008.

→119: Citations issued in one-year period ending March 31, 2009.

In the U.S.:

→4.5 million: Number of people bitten each year.

→885,000: Annual bites that require medical attention.

→12: Number of people who die each year from dog attacks.

→$356.2 million: Amount paid in insurance liability payments for bites in 2007.

→14,351: Bite claims in 2007.

DOGS INVOLVED IN ATTACKS
Breeds most often involved in dog-bite related human fatalities from 1979-1998:

→Pitt bull terrier

→Rottweiler

→German shepherd

→Wolf-dog hybrid

→Husky

→Malamute

→Doberman pinscher

SOURCES: Oklahoma City Municipal Court, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Southwestern Insurance Information Service and Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

In March, a mixed breed dog from Shawnee was tranquilized and taken into custody by an animal welfare agent there. The dog was labeled vicious and would have been euthanized had its owner not gone to court.

Dawn Ramsey, a dog trainer who testified the dog was not vicious and should not be euthanized, said the dog has some behavioral problems, but is not dangerous.

She said the ordeal started on March 25 when the dog, Max, barked and ran at a postal worker who then called animal control.

The dog acted similarly toward the animal control worker who tranquilized the dog.

Ramsey said the dog’s owner, Bill Warmker, spent two days in municipal court calling witnesses to testify on behalf of his dog.

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Related Topics: Culture and Lifestyle, Pets, Dogs



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