Yakima council to consider $250 fine for pit bulls

June 29--A fine for offenses involving service pit bulls and an ordinance to raise the cost for digging in public rights-of-way top the Yakima City Council's Tuesday agenda.

Yakima bans the ownership of pit bulls unless they qualify as service animals as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act. In mid-April, the City Council voted to establish procedures for owners of service pit bulls, including leashing and muzzling them in public and keeping them in secured enclosures while at home.

The ordinance allows the city to confiscate the animal if the owner fails to meet the requirements, and in certain cases, euthanize the animal. One case occurred in May when a pit bull escaped from its owner's house and attacked another dog, then bit three individuals who tried to separate the animals.

The ordinance passed in April also said violators would be subject to a fine but did not say how much. City Manager Tony O'Rourke said the purpose of Tuesday's proposal is to set the fine at $250.

"It was erroneously not included in the first ordinance that was passed," O'Rourke said.

Weeks later, another service pit bull escaped from its enclosure and killed a cat, according to the city. No one else was harmed in that incident.

The council is also expected to vote on an ordinance that will require utility companies to pay more to excavate on public streets and sidewalks.

The proposal includes $100 excavation permit, a $60-per-hour site inspection fee, documentation of insurance and a two-year warranty on the patchwork, in addition to other safety requirements. The proposal also would require a restoration fee of $4.05 per square foot of trench area and on a 3-foot area on each side of the cut. Restoration fees for work done on roads less than 5 years old would cost 150 percent of the standard fee.

The council was originally scheduled to hear the ordinance at its June 17 meeting, but took it off the agenda, citing the significance of the change and the absence of two council members at that meeting. The proposal has been in the works more than six months.

The Yakima City Council meets at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall.

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