Dangerous dog ordinance has some bite

Fort Worth police encountered aggressive dogs in the past 24 hours, but a city spokeswoman indicated that these incidents probably don't fall under the city's beefed up ordinance aimed at controlling dangerous dogs.

The expanded rules now include unprovoked actions not only against humans but also against other animals, such as a pets being walked on a leash that are attacked by free-roaming dogs.

In these two latest cases (including the one pictured here), the dogs were either in a yard or actually inside a house.

It's a worthy reminder, however, that the new rules pose costly consequences for people who don't restrain aggressive dogs.

If a dog is deemed to be "dangerous," owners will have to pay a $50 annual registration fee and a microchip is implanted in the animal to include it in a national registry, said Amy Casas, the city spokeswoman.

Then the owner will have to ensure that there is adequate fencing to control the dog and signs declaring that the animal is dangerous, Casas said.

But if that's not enough, the older ordinance already required the owner of a dangerous dog to maintain at least $100,000 in liability insurance in case the animal maims or kills.

With costs like those, some people may decide to surrender their dogs to the city.

And if that happens, Casas said, the animals will be destroyed.

-- Bill Miller