La Quinta To Change Dog Laws

Under the amended rules, dog owners will be fined a $100 for a first bite, a misdemeanor and $1,000 fine for the second bite.

Owners can also be fined if the dog hasn’t bitten anyone but is found off it’s leash: $100 for the first violation. $250 for a second violation and $300 for a third.

The city can even enforce strict measures if they deem the dog dangerous.

“They have to keep in a confined pen on the property, provide insurance liability of up to 50 thousand dollars policy,” said Anthony Moreno, with La Quinta code enforcement.

But the new rules don’t apply to owners whose dogs bite other dogs.

A pit bull attacked a couple of Bill Schneid’s dogs last year. One died, the other recovered. He has pushed the city for stiffer dog laws since then.

He said the new rules are missing some important pieces, like making owners have dog insurance.

The city said it might be too much for some people.

“We didn’t want to institute so many laws and rules where the average dog owner would be deterred from or encouraged not to license their dogs,” said Moreno.

“If you can’t afford the insurance on the vehicle if you can’t get licensed. You don’t drive a car. Take a bus. And similarly with a dog there’s nothing that requires you have a dog but if you chose to have a dog there’s certain inherent responsibilities that go alond with that and liability insurance should be one of them,” said Schneid.

Right now dogs are only allowed off leash at the city’s dog parks. The city doesn’t keep track of dog bite victims, and they say they can review the updated rules to see if they’re working.

Dog owners say they support the changes.

“This one Radical, he’s definitely a barker and intimidates people but he’ll never bite but other people don’t know that so it’s better to keep them safe,” said Jared Aguiree, who owns three dogs.

“I think it will help but some people, it’s not easy for some people. But I think I’m with the law,” said dog owner Dherese Gigon.

According to Moreno, the new rules have a 30 day grace period. They’ll go into effect in the beginning of August.