County already has dog ordinance

Editor:

Reading about another vicious dog attack (CCN, 5/26/26) was deeply disturbing. Three dogs attacking a bicyclist must have been horrific for the victim. To make matters worse, these dogs reportedly attacked another victim while they were supposed to be under quarantine.

Where was law enforcement in this picture? Were they aware of Carroll County’s Vicious Dog Ordinance (#2021-24)? There is no question that the owner of these animals should have received a citation from the Sheriff immediately. Why didn’t this happen?

Ordinance #2021-24 authorizes the Sheriff to issue a citation to the owner of any vicious dog kept in Carroll County. A vicious dog is clearly defined as one that has attacked or has shown a propensity to attack unprovoked, while off its property. Upon conviction by the court, the owner has 30 days to either remove the dog from the County or have it euthanized, and may be fined $50-$500.

If law enforcement does not enforce this Ordinance to protect the citizens of Carroll County, the most practical recourse for victims is to file a lawsuit with the District Court. Perhaps the threat of a large legal judgment against negligent dog owners will get their attention. Six- or seven-figure settlements are not uncommon.

Or perhaps we should follow the advice we received from a deputy sheriff a while back:

If a threatening dog is off its owner’s property, whether on a public road or someone else’s property, “just shoot ’em”. That would be one way of dealing with the lack of law enforcement, but bicyclists, runners or folks walking their grandkids shouldn’t have to carry a loaded weapon to feel safe. We hope that’s not necessary.

— Tom Gorsuch and Ann Hopkins

Carroll County