Guthrie County is closer to having an ordinance on animal protection and control, but is still working on it.

Guthrie County Health Services Director Jotham Arber has been working with many other officials, especially those with the Sheriff’s Office and Board of Health, to draft an ordinance pertaining to vicious animals, because there have been several cases of repeat offenders in recent years. Arber tells Raccoon Valley Radio that the ordinance does not single out any animals, despite what some may believe.

“This ordinance is just looking at providing a way for the county to respond to those situations where there are vicious animals. This ordinance itself has no mention of breeds, has no mention of anything other than animals. And when it defines vicious, it defines it in a way that the animal is, by itself, attacking or acting like it’s going to attack a human without provocation.”

Arber mentions that the definition of vicious that is used, is that the animal has gone out of their way to cause harm, like chasing someone down and biting them, not an instance where it has acted on instinct. He adds that instances of an animal acting out of instinct can include protecting itself because its space was invaded, for instance if someone were to reach into their food bowl while they’re eating or try to climb in their house while they’re in it.

The ordinance would also not come into effect if something were to happen accidentally, like you pick up your pet’s toy while they are trying to play with it. Arber explains that the ordinance also does not prohibit individuals from having pets, or require them to license them, but makes it so that there is a system in place for those responding to any report of a vicious animal.