HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-27-19 Public Comment - D. Dietsch-1 - Dog Ordinance Enforcement 61
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Dear Mayor Andrus:
As far as the issue of quality of life here in Bozeman - I would say that there is a significant off-
leash dog problem in our community.
Please check out the photos I've enclosed. Dog attacks happen all too often in our country. The
dog attack where this poor child was killed in Detroit was tragic beyond words.
I think the city will profoundly regret the current policy of lax enforcement of dog ordinances if
God forbid the same thing occurs here in Bozeman and a child is mauled.
Mayor Andrus - if you frequent the Gallagator Trail you will see that a lots and lots of dogs,
maybe even half of all dogs, are off-leash.
The city has to crack down. Start to enforce the law. Right now it's a free for all with dogs off-
leash all over Bozeman. If you had one officer stand at the base of Peeis Hiii everyday, you
would be writing 2- 3 thousand dollars of citations each day at $100.00 a ticket. This is not an
exaggeration'. I would wager there are at least 30 dogs off-leash on the Gallagator each day at
that spot. Whenever I take a walk to the library I see at least 2-3 dogs off-leash. The owners
have the thinking "I can do whatever I want. No one can tell me what I can do with my dog. My
dog is special."
I am so worried about something like this Detroit incident happening here.
Yes, the majority of dogs off-leash are friendly but some are not. What happens when a tragedy
occurs to a child because of a dog attack?
I cannot imagine the sorrow. And the overwhelming regret that a tragic incident could have
because the city neglected to prevent it.
We can't let this happen.
I hope the city will do a better job with dog ordinance enforcement. Go anywhere in Bozeman,
on the trails in the neighborhood, and you will see unleashed dogs everywhere. Public safety
should be, at the top of any commissioner's priority - above housing, transportation,
development, etc.
And as far as hurting dog owners feelings: Yes, people in Bozeman love their dogs (super love
their dogs) but everyone has the obligation to be responsible.
The city must begin to rigorously enforce dog ordinances. If need be, hire 1 or 2 animal control
officers. The money spent will be well worth it if it can prevent a tragedy.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Doug Dietsch�
r Douglas Dietsch & Louisa Hull
( C ` 4,& , 0/) G S, Bozeman,
W Koch St Apt 106
Bozeman, MT 59715
NEWS
Dog owner charged with murder in attack
that killed 9-year-old girl
Updated Aug 22,4:42 PM; Posted Aug 22,1:09 PM
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AP
Detroit police respond to the scene where three dogs attacked a
young girl who later died of her injuries in Detroit on Monday,
Aug. 19, 2019. Police say the owner of three dogs is in custody
after the animals killed Emma Hernandez, 9, as she rode a bike.
The girl's father, Armando Hernandez, says the man was warned
that a fence was too flimsy to hold the dogs. (Max Ortiz/Detroit
Dews via AP)
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