Friday, February 27, 2009

Changes in animal control and protection rules are being proposed by the City of Wichita Department of Environmental Services. Community input will be solicited through District Advisory Board meetings prior to presenting final recommendations to the City Council for consideration. Comments may also be provided using the following email address: AnimalCode2009@wichita.gov.

The proposal includes new regulations and improvements to existing regulations including new pit bull ownership restrictions, amendments to allow flexibility with rabies vaccination schedules, new animal nuisance provisions, new dog park regulations as well as other rules associated with owning livestock, large numbers of animals and breeder regulations.

“It is a comprehensive proposal that will help address numerous neighborhood complaints,” according to Kay Johnson, Environmental Services Director.

The need for regulatory changes regarding pit bulls is illustrated by statistics compiled by Environmental Services. The department investigated 733 dog bites and attacks in 2008, of which 246 involved pit bulls. The Wichita Animal Shelter housed over 6,000 dogs, of which nearly 1,800 were pit bulls. City animal control officers collected more than 4,600 stray dogs or dogs running at large, of which 1,279 were pit bulls.

The regulatory changes proposed by Environmental Services are intended to encourage safe and responsible pet ownership. The draft ordinance revisions dated February 25, 2009, may be found on the City’s website at: wichita.gov.

Additional information is available by calling the City of Wichita Department of Environmental Services at 268-8351.