Council Acts to Ban Threatening Use of Dogs

Owners who use their mean-looking dogs to threaten other people would be cited under an ordinance that won preliminary approval from the Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday.

Councilwoman Ruth Galanter, who introduced the measure in response to complaints from beach-goers and merchants in Venice, said the ordinance is aimed at those who bring the “largest dogs with the biggest collars and the meanest teeth they can find” to the beach to stir up trouble.

Galanter said some owners have used their dogs to intimidate merchants, holding them at bay while companions shoplift. Police have said that the current law is not strong enough for them to cite someone for using a dog for intimidation, Galanter said.

City law already prohibits animal attacks or bites. The new law would go further, prohibiting animals from assaulting, threatening or menacing any person or animal.

“It is quite a frightening experience to be held at bay by a dog that is showing teeth, snarling and in a position to attack,” said Ted Goldstein, a spokesman for the city attorney’s office.

The Department of Animal Regulation maintains that the current law is strong enough, although it says it does not oppose Galanter’s efforts.