With a rise in the number of dog attacks in Santa Barbara County, there’s now an updated law intended to bring those numbers down.
Santa Barbara County Animal Services Director Jan Glick says the Board of Supervisors recently unanimously agreed to revise its Vicious Dog Ordinance, making it more restrictive.
"Previously the ordinance only addressed a serious attack on a person on the first incident, allowing the dog to be deemed vicious. The new ordinance allows the dog to be deemed vicious on a first offense if it's an egregious act towards another animal," she said.
The updated ordinance also adds new fees for owners who have dogs deemed vicious or restricted. Glick says she believes the revised law will help prevent dog attacks.
In the last fiscal year, Animal Services investigated 800 aggressive dogs and held nearly 50 on vicious or restricted dog hearings.