Changes to Dangerous Dog Appeal Committee pass in Amherstburg

Amherstburg passed a motion to put town residents in charge of the Dangerous Dog Appeal Committee by a 5-to-1 vote. 

Deputy mayor Leo Meloche said the debate went back and forth, with a few councillors questioning the necessity of it.

"The frequency became an issue," said Meloche."The arguments on the necessity was such that most councillors are not really educated on behaviours of dogs and the control of dogs."

The committee had previously been made up of seven members of council. The motion came forward to "eliminate risk of bias" so that councillor actions weren't perceived as favouritism.

"Council eventually accepted the recommendation that a committee [be made], made up of three residents, removing council involvement," said Meloche. "The key became that provincial laws indicate there has to be a mechanism for appeals."

Meloche said the committee will be made up of people who understand or have interacted with dangerous dogs. 

Coun. Michael Prue was the dissenting vote in the motion. 

"I don't think to set up an appeal committee like this, where we've only had one case in five years, these people have no expertise and won't understand their role," said Prue. "It seems illogical."