New ordinance may crack down on ‘jumping’ pets

ENGLEWOOD – It may soon be against the law for a cat or dog to jump on a person who is not their owner in Englewood.

Arguments for and against the new ordinance were presented before the Englewood City Council Monday night.

The city may change its dog ordinance as it relates to vicious dogs. One of the changes would make it illegal for an owner to fail to maintain reasonable control over their pets.

Some don’t think the issue of control belongs in a discussion about vicious animals.

“As an animal trainer and behavior counselor – I know a bark, a growl, a jump at somebody does not necessarily mean aggression,” Lisa Sickles, a dog trainer at Monday night’s meeting.

The city is trying to define what constitutes a vicious dog.