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Public Safety Committee <br /> Minutes/August 19 , 1987 <br /> Page 4 <br /> the State law definition of "criminal trespass" , the <br /> incorporation of the definition of "fight" utilizing the State <br /> law definition, incorporation of a definition for "unprovoked", <br /> the reduction of the proposed insurance coverage from $500,000 to <br /> $300, 000 , incorporation of the Department of Code Enforcement <br /> anywhere that the South Bend Police Department is indicated, the <br /> incorporation of a sign stating "Beware, Potentially Dangerous <br /> Dog" which would be part of the licensing procedure, additional <br /> regulations with regard to pens or structures for such animals, <br /> and the incorporation of the concept that ownership of such a dog <br /> would be termporarily forfeited if such a dog does cause "serious <br /> injury" and that the costs to board the dog pending legal process <br /> would be a cost assumed by the dog's owner. <br /> In response to questions from Councilman Taylor, Dr. Carol <br /> Ecker stated that currently the Humane Society has hired a <br /> contractor to construct cement block rooms with ten ( 10) foot <br /> ceilings to house potentially dangerous dogs and the American Pit <br /> Bull Terrier. She stated that there was an incident at the <br /> Humane Society where an American Pit Bull Terrier was able to get <br /> out of its cage and attack two ( 2 ) other dogs. She also <br /> confirmed that when American Pit Bull Terriers are turned in to <br /> the Humane Society , they are not allowed to be adopted and are <br /> humanely euthanized. She further stated that although she would <br /> prefer not to single out a breed , there is ample evidence to show <br /> that these dogs are potentially dangerous due to their fighting <br /> nature. She also stated that her staff is very much aware of the <br /> characteristics of the American Pit Bull Terrier and could <br /> determine these characteristics . <br /> Councilman Tom Zakrzewski had a series of questions with <br /> regard to the proposed legislation. He specifically questioned <br /> whether , in fact , the American Pit Bull Terrier is vicious <br /> because of its training or breeding and was told that it was a <br /> combination of both. He also had several questions with regard <br /> to enforcement . Patricia DeClercq of the Code Enforcement <br /> Department stated that the procedure with regard to enforcement <br /> would be similar , if not identical to the enforcement of the <br /> current animal control legislation. Both Mrs. DeClercq and the <br /> Council Attorney emphasized that when there is an alleged <br /> ordinance violation such as the dog running at large, the dog <br /> would be picked up and taken to the Humane Society. The dog <br /> would then be held for the period of time set forth in the <br /> ordinance and, if it was not claimed by the owner, it would then <br /> be humanely euthanized. The other way that the ordinance could <br /> be triggered into effect is if a complaint would be registered by <br /> a citizen within the City . <br />