Diane Raver
What are the owners of a vicious animal required to do? What can be done to protect citizens if these animals are running loose in town?
To answer these questions, Sunman Town Council members discussed Ordinance 2008-1, which would establish a vicious animal law in the town.
Accord-ing to the document, a vicious animal is one “that has shown itself to be dangerous to humans or has the natural propensity or reputation as being dangerous.” A wild animal “is naturally untamable, unpredictable, dangerous or mischievous.”
Owners of these creatures would have certain obligations: “Any vicious or wild animal must be properly secured and restrained at all times, either by confinement in a house building, pen, fence or other enclosure sufficient to prevent the animal from escaping and roaming at large, or by adequate physical control exercised by owner sufficient to prevent damage to property or person or nuisance to the public.
“The animal control officer or other town official is authorized to immediately destroy any vicious or wild animal which cannot be safely captured, kept in custody by usual and available means or which is observed to be attacking a person or other animal.”
Clerk-treasurer Kris Schneider asked, “Is this going to cover if someone has a tiger or lion?”
Town attorney Amy Streator responded, “It won’t prevent them from having it (these animals) within the town limits, but it says what they have to do to keep it contained.”
Reserve Officer Dave Bruns inquired, “Are you going to enforce some type of penalty?”
Marshal Bill Dramann stressed, “It’s senseless to have an ordinance without a penalty.”
Bruns added that if the fine was steep enough, “it may keep someone from keeping one” of these creatures.
Members decided to add a $100 fine for vicious animals at large. For a subsequent offense, town officials will have the authority to destroy the animal.
The second reading of this ordinance will be at next month’s meeting, Thursday, Oct. 16.
Diane Raver can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 114; or diane.raver@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com.
