City Reworks Vicious Dog Ordinance

A dog that was in the process of being deemed vicious by the city attacked another dog on July 20 while his owners awaited their court date. 

The incident took place just past 2nd Street on First Ave. NE. Alley Davis said her husband, Steve Davis, was walking their 5-year-old border terrier mix, who belongs to their daughter, and that the vicious dog ran towards them, grabbing hold of the terrier. 

Davis said her husband let go of their other dog and began kicking the vicious dog, who eventually let go, but not before doing some serious damage. The dog was left with severe injuries, including one to its spine. After the attack, the dog received life-saving surgery and recovered in the veterinary intensive care unit at Iowa State University, which a family member helped cover, knowing how much they loved their dog. 

“He is recouping well,” Davis said of her dog’s injuries. “He will have a bit of rehab time ahead due to the extensive injuries but seems to be adjusting, slow and steady.”

Davis said she doesn’t blame the city for her dog being attacked and she appreciated how the police officers responded when they arrived, even taking the dog to a local vet’s home to help save him. But she wondered if there was something that could be done to help others avoid this situation. 

“The offender had a court date approaching for the same behavior and had we known we would have avoided the area,” Davis said. “Would be nice to start something that could get the message out quickly via social media. He required 4 days in ICU at ISU and over 6k in bills. Would love to prevent this from happening to others.”

Hampton Police Chief Mark Morrison said they do not have plans of installing a new alert system for dogs who’ve been deemed vicious by the city, but that they are planning on “streamlining the process and adding in safeguards to assure the dog isn’t out during the appeal process.” 

Morrison said on Aug. 5 that the vicious dog ordinance is currently being updated by the city attorney and that it’ll go before city council during their Aug. 19 workshop. 

The Chronicle followed up with Davis for her thoughts on the city reworking the ordinance. 

“They called me and informed me that they were changing the policy,” Davis said. “I feel the response was fair and adequate. I am glad others will hopefully be spared.”