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BY CAROLYN THOMPSON
cthompson@nwitimes.com
219.933.3229 | Wednesday, December 13, 2006 | (No comments posted.)
MUNSTER | Dogs running loose around town have forced officials to put a leash on current regulations.
Town councilmen agreed Monday to reword the ordinance governing dogs and omitted the ambiguous "under control" language.
Dogs must now be leashed when they are outside of the house or the yard, according to the new wording.
The need for clarity came as a result of an increase in the number of loose dogs roaming the streets and alleys, and a rise in residents' complaints, councilmen said.
"It is chronic, because I have seen a pack of dogs running through my alley and they usually can be aggressive," said longtime resident Patricia McNamara. "People let them out and then when I come along with my dogs, they'll charge me."
McNamara said she has three Havanese dogs that are 9-, 11- and 12-pounders.
"They are unpredictable and I don't know how well they are trained," McNamara said about the loose animals.
Councilwoman Helen Brown, the owner of two 40-pound mixed breeds, said she has had similar experiences with unharnessed animals in town.
"I feel more comfortable when I see a dog on a leash," Brown said.
But McNamara said the main problem is what to do with the stray animals once they are caught.
"Animal control is a very tough nut to crack because if no one picks up the dog, the town of Munster would have to pay for the dogs," Brown said.
Sgt. Dan Ball of police dispatch said not having animal control is not specific to Munster, but is a regional problem.
"It's a hot issue because the town doesn't have an outside contract to house the animals," Ball said. "We've made numerous attempts to enter contracts with outside agencies, but haven't found a resolution."
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