Dog law toughened, requiring restraints in public

WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) — Waterbury is putting teeth in its vicious-dog ordinance.

The Republican American reports that the Board of Aldermen has approved a change to the city's code of ordinances, requiring owners to restrain their vicious dog at home in addition to previous rules restraining dogs in public.

The city considers a dog vicious if it has bitten someone.

Changes in the law require owners to keep a vicious dog inside a locked, chain-link run at least 10 feet long and 6 feet high, surrounded by a second, locked gate at home.

The rules have required owners to harness, collar, double-leash and humanely muzzle vicious dogs when in public. The fine for violating the new restraint rules was doubled to $200.

Alderman Ernest Brunelli, proposed the change after two pit bulls mauled an 88-year-old woman in March.

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Information from: Republican-American