Rural residents must register dogs of certain breeds by April 1

Area residents who live in the unincorporated areas of Jackson County are reminded that they have until Friday, April 1, to register or re-register their dog with the county if it’s a pit bull or a hybrid of that breed. 

The Jackson County Commissioners approved a resolution last year that requires owners of certain dog breeds to register each year at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and pay a $25 fee.  

According to the resolution, breeds that must be registered each year by April 1 include Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Bull Terrier or a hybrid of any of those breeds. 

In 2015, a total of 20 dogs were registered with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, it was reported. 

To register a dog, an owner must provide their name, address, home and cell phone numbers, their dog’s name, breed, sex, age and color. The dog’s veterinarian must also be listed, as well as their office’s phone number. 

Failing to register a dog, or violating any other portion of the resolution, can result in a fine between $50 and $500 and 30 days in the county jail.

Last May, a Jackson County resident was arrested on a criminal warrant on a charge of violating the county’s vicious dog resolution. 

During the arrest, the resident was found to be owning a pit bull that had not been registered with the county. The animal was also running at large, which is against the policy.

The Jackson County Commissioners decided to update the county’s policy regarding dangerous dogs and require the owners of some breeds to register their animals to help law enforcement, EMS or other emergency personnel be aware of the animals when responding to an incident at a rural residence.

According to the website www.dogsbite.org, in an 11-year period between 2005 and 2015, canines killed 360 people in the United States. Pit bulls contributed to 64 percent of those deaths.

During Monday’s Jackson County Commission meeting, the commissioners said they used statistics from the website to confirm the need for a new dangerous dog policy last year.