By Khalida Sarwari
In response to recent dog attacks against Santa Clara County residents, the Board of Supervisors today enacted policies that would hold the owners of pit bulls and other potentially dangerous dogs accountable for their dogs’ actions.
Supervisor Ken Yeager called for a more proactive approach to preventing injuries resulting from dog attacks.
“We shouldn’t wait for a more serious tragedy to strike in our unincorporated areas before we react,” Yeager said. “The more we can be proactive, the better off we’ll be.”
Last month a pair of dogs attacked 66-year-old Dawn Wilson and her white Siberian husky as they were taking a walk at Cataldi Park in San Jose. The dogs bit Wilson on the front and back of her hands, on her wrist and on her face.
She was treated for minor lacerations and severe bites at the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs hospital and was released, but Shadow, her husky, suffered a broken leg and broken jaw. He was euthanized at an emergency veterinary clinic in Fremont.
The new policies would expand on current safety laws by specifically granting the county’s Animal Care and Control Department authority to deem a dog “potentially dangerous” after one attack on another animal. The policies also require anyone who walks a “potentially dangerous” dog to be over 18 and physically capable of controlling the animal.
Currently, county staff is authorized to declare a dog as “potentially dangerous” if it displays a pattern of aggression toward people or other animals.
The goal is to identify dangerous dogs sooner and require owners to take preventative measures, such as proper home confinement, use of a leash and muzzle by someone who can handle the dog during walks.
The expanded law also increases the amount of liability insurance a “potentially dangerous” dog owner must carry from $50,000 to $100,000.
Other measures that the county is looking into include developing a pilot project to educate elementary school children on how to interact with dogs to prevent dog bites and expanding the county’s limited free spay and neuter program to encompass all dogs that are 45 pounds or heavier.
An estimated 20,300 dogs reside in the unincorporated areas of the county. Animal Care and Control investigates around 110 reports of dogs biting humans every year, and nearly one to two of those bites are unprovoked and severe.
Karen Johnson, chair for the Animal Advisory Committee in Santa Clara County, addressed the board and spoke against the idea of a mandatory ordinance aimed at one dog type.
“There is a people problem, not a dog problem,” Johnson said. “All dogs can bite. Dog training is key, as well as education of parents not to leave children unattended with dogs no matter what the breed or size of the dog.”
The board will return to this issue to discuss the language for the new ordinances, and the law will take effect 60 days after that discussion.