Minneapolis Retools Dangerous Dog Ordinance
Victim Inspires New LawsMinneapolis, IN -
Paula Ybarra-Provost was attacked last spring by two dogs owned by her neighbor while inside her neighbor's home. She recently underwent a "first time" medical procedure, which involved placing a stent in her neck to heal an artery that had been torn in the attack.
Paula's attack and several others prompted a response from enforcement officials. A key provision would forbid dog ownership for five years to owners who don't comply with the new rules. The ordinance would also make it more difficult for a violent felon to keep a dog that weighs more than 20 pounds or poses a danger if mistreated.
The dogs that attacked Paula had been declared "dangerous" after attacking a 7-year old less than one-year prior. Yet, the city did not follow up to see whether Mohrbacker, the owner of the dogs, had complied with the dangerous dog requirements, which include insurance, special confinement and other steps.
The new ordinance ensures stronger follow up procedures to catch dog owners like Mohrbacker, who fail to comply with dangerous dog requirements, and as a result lose the right to own dogs for five years. As it stands, Mohrbacker pleaded guilty to one of three misdemeanor charges against him, was charged $125 and given a three-month workhouse sentence stayed for a year.
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