By John Howell

The City of Batesville has joined the Town of Como and Panola County in adopting an ordinance governing the control of dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs. 

Batesville aldermen voted during their Tuesday meeting to enact regulations that define a “dangerous dog” as well as what criteria determine whether a dog is “potentially dangerous.” The definitions are not breed specific and can apply to any dog.

The city’s animal control officer or his designee may now determine potentially dangerous dogs and owners would have an opportunity to file a petition within five days seeking review of the designation.

Owners of dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs could register their dogs after providing proof of proper enclosure, an annual fee of $50, rabies vaccination and proof of $100,000 homeowner’s liability policy, according to the ordinance.

Como aldermen adopted a similar ordinance in June.

In December, 2013, Panola County Supervisors adopted an ordinance that assistant City Attorney Colmon Mitchell said he used to create the city’s ordinance.

A dangerous dog is any dog that causes injury to a person or domestic animal, according to the regulations. 

A potentially dangerous dog is defined as one that chases or menaces a person or domestic animal in an aggressive manner or that runs “…at large or is impounded by the Batesville Police Department two or more times within a 12-month period,” the regulations state.

“We still have our leash law, right?” Alderman Bill Dugger asked.

“Right,” another alderman replied. 

The city’s leash law prohibits loose dogs in city limits.