Marion County 'Dangerous Dogs' Proposal Moves Forward

INDIANAPOLIS -- A Marion County proposal to control dangerous dogs and their owners went under review Tuesday night at the City-County Council.

The proposal would increase fines ten-fold and requires spay, neutering and micro-chipping. The proposal was sparked after the mauling of Amaya Hess, 2, who has endured dozens of surgeries and will need more after a pit bull attack five months ago, 6News' Martha Weaver reported.

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Marion County 'Dangerous Dogs' Proposal Moves Forward

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Fueled by the Hess attack, a carefully crafted proposal has been making its way through the City-County Council.

The proposal went before the Rules and Public Policy Committee. It deems a dangerous dog as one that poses a danger to human life or property, has caused serious unprovoked injury to a person or has chases a person or acted menacingly away from its owner.

Warren Patitz, a nationally known dog expert and founder of a group called Move To Act said the proposal address the main problem, irresponsible ownership.

"When people are irresponsible and can't manage their dogs behavior as they interact with the community and other people, then there has to be somebody, some force that steps in to say, 'Wait a minute. If you can't control your animals, then there's going to be a limit on what we allow you to do.'" Patitz said.

The proposal will be reconsidered by the rules committee on Oct. 31, and is expected to have a full council vote on Nov. 13.

An Amaya Hess Trust Fund has been set up. Donations can be made at any Union Federal Bank.