Pine Hill approves vicious dog law this week
By Arthur McLean Editor

The Town of Pine Hill enacted a vicious and nuisance dog ordinance Monday night.

The ordinance will require all dogs to wear identification on their collars, bearing the names and addresses of their owners.

Pine Hill law officers are also given the authority to inspect the premises where dogs are kept to ensure compliance with the law, and investigate reports of vicious or nuisance dogs.

Fines range from $25 to $250 and dog owners could be ordered to dispose of their dogs if they are found to be vicious.

The ordinance goes into effect in 60 days.

Police Chief John Brown answered questions regarding the ordinance. "We're trying to please everybody and do this without having to have a pound, because we can't afford that," he said.

Janice Flint and Roberta Jordan questioned whether the ordinance needed to be so specific as to indicate a person had been bitten by a dog, saying other animals could be bit by a vicious dog and should be covered under the ordinance as well.

Brown agreed that dropping "to a person" in the section dealing with filing reports with the police department, so that any dog bite could be reported and covered under the ordinance.

Donnie Calhoun asked what would happen in the event the owner of a dog that bites could not be determined. Brown said the animal would have to be taken into custody or shot and sent off for rabies testing.

Flint also asked about a clause in the ordinance giving officers up to five days to take actions against vicious dogs and their owners. "A vicious dog will be handled immediately, we'd be crazy not to," Brown said.

The ordinance, with Jordan's amendment was approved unanimously.

The council also unanimously approved the hiring of Kendrick Howell as a police officer for the town. Howard passed all background checks but will need to attend the state police academy before he can become a certified police officer, Brown said.

Three auxiliary officers were also approved by the council.

In other business, Dusty McDanel reported that the city is still waiting for bid packages from the engineering firm in charge of designing a new metal roof for city hall. Moving forward with replacing the current, leaking flat roof was approved earlier this year by the council. Bids will have to be approved before work can proceed.

Mayor Harry Mason reported that the city still has not been able to give away the house on Hwy. 5 immediately in front of city hall. The city purchased the house and land to improve parking at city hall.

A parade permit for F.S. Ervin Elementary was approved. The school's homecoming parade will be held Oct. 13.

A community church service will be held Sunday at 4:30 in Church Street Park.

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