FAST FACTS:
(Memphis-7/27/2010) There may soon be a bounty on the heads of dogs found roaming Memphis streets.
It's just one of the proposals being considered by city officials.
The city says it also needs a lot more animal control officers to address the large number of strays and vicious dogs in Memphis. Residents say it's long overdue.
"Basically, the dogs in Memphis need to be taken care of," said Kashawn Young
Kashawn Young lives near the Medical District where a pit bull attacked several people last week and where there is now a memorial for the elderly man who died there.
He says there are a lot of dogs running wild in the neighborhood and he wants the city to do something about it.
"Just so many dogs in the community with nowhere to go," said Young.
Young knows first hand how dangerous they can be. A couple of months ago he was bitten by a dog in another part of town.
"I was walking and the dog just jumped up and bit me on the leg," said Young.
The Wharton Administration is considering a measure that would put a bounty of as much as $50 on stray dogs turned in by citizens.
City leaders are hoping it will get vicious strays off the street and encourage pet owners to be more responsible.
"We wouldn't be suggesting that anyone risk their safety and we would still say if someone sees a stray dog out there to call animal control," said Chief Administrative Officer George Little.
Along with the bounty, city officials also want a program to promote surrendering vicious dogs, a spay and neuter initiative for all dogs and mandatory registration of animals using microchips.
However, the city says to do all that they may also need to double the number of animal control officers to nearly 40.
"As long as we have as many animals that are strays and unloved, unwanted we'll never be able to build a large enough facility to manage that problem," said Little.
So would residents help the city round up a dog for fifty bucks? Some aren't sure. Others like Young say yes.
"I think it's cool, " said Young.
City leaders plan to begin discussing the proposal with council members next week.
They would like to see something passed soon to make the streets safer for children returning to school.
The city says additional animal patrol officers and other changes could cost as much as a half million dollars a year.
Some city council members have already been working on a measure that would require all dogs to be spayed or neutered.
- The city is considering putting a $50 bounty on dogs roaming Memphis streets
- The city is hoping it will get vicious dogs off the street
- Last week several people were attacked by a pit bull in the Medical District
(Memphis-7/27/2010) There may soon be a bounty on the heads of dogs found roaming Memphis streets.
It's just one of the proposals being considered by city officials.
The city says it also needs a lot more animal control officers to address the large number of strays and vicious dogs in Memphis. Residents say it's long overdue.
"Basically, the dogs in Memphis need to be taken care of," said Kashawn Young
Kashawn Young lives near the Medical District where a pit bull attacked several people last week and where there is now a memorial for the elderly man who died there.
He says there are a lot of dogs running wild in the neighborhood and he wants the city to do something about it.
"Just so many dogs in the community with nowhere to go," said Young.
Young knows first hand how dangerous they can be. A couple of months ago he was bitten by a dog in another part of town.
"I was walking and the dog just jumped up and bit me on the leg," said Young.
The Wharton Administration is considering a measure that would put a bounty of as much as $50 on stray dogs turned in by citizens.
City leaders are hoping it will get vicious strays off the street and encourage pet owners to be more responsible.
"We wouldn't be suggesting that anyone risk their safety and we would still say if someone sees a stray dog out there to call animal control," said Chief Administrative Officer George Little.
Along with the bounty, city officials also want a program to promote surrendering vicious dogs, a spay and neuter initiative for all dogs and mandatory registration of animals using microchips.
However, the city says to do all that they may also need to double the number of animal control officers to nearly 40.
"As long as we have as many animals that are strays and unloved, unwanted we'll never be able to build a large enough facility to manage that problem," said Little.
So would residents help the city round up a dog for fifty bucks? Some aren't sure. Others like Young say yes.
"I think it's cool, " said Young.
City leaders plan to begin discussing the proposal with council members next week.
They would like to see something passed soon to make the streets safer for children returning to school.
The city says additional animal patrol officers and other changes could cost as much as a half million dollars a year.
Some city council members have already been working on a measure that would require all dogs to be spayed or neutered.
