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Dogs That Attack Livestock May Be Muzzled, Labeled Dangerous Under New Ordinance

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — An ordinance that enables animal control officers to catch dogs that attack farm animals was adopted Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors.

The attacks on farm animals are also to be considered in decided whether or not the dog is a threat to public safety.

According to county animal control officials, dogs that attack horses, sheep, goats and other livestock often also attack people and their pets.

Under the new ordinance, animal control personnel are permitted to take dogs away from their owners if the dogs attempt to attack livestock. The animal control officers can then begin a process to determine whether the dogs are "potentially dangerous".

If found "guilty", the dog may be required to wear a muzzle and its owner may be forced to buy liability insurance, among other restrictions. Under different violations, a vicious dog may be destroyed.

In addition, the ordinance increases the time for owners to appeal a court order or give notice that they plan to contest the results of an administrative hearing, from five to 14 days.

The vote by the board was unanimous.

(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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