Dog warden advisory committee to review city's vicious dogs law

2/17/2010
BLADE STAFF

The city of Toledo's contested vicious dogs law is now set to go for review by a citizen-led committee.

Members of the Lucas County Dog Warden Advisory Committee voted unanimously Wednesday afternoon to a request by Mayor Mike Bell that they examine and suggest potential changes to the controversial law, which levies additional restrictions to "pit bulls" and "pit bull" mixed dogs in the city.

A Jan. 20 opinion by Toledo Municipal Court Judge Michael Goulding found the law's restrictions in conflict with home-rule doctrine, as its requirements go above and beyond state law.

The city has since instructed the county dog warden to stop enforcing the vicious dogs law while city attorneys appeal the judge's ruling for its interpretation of home-rule doctrine.

Steve Serchuk, chairman of the dog warden advisory committee, said after Wednesday's vote that members will start compiling information on best practices to guide their efforts in revising the law.