A feasibility study will be completed and is a response to several high-profile pit bull attacks on children in Fontana, including the Feb. 1 mauling of three children by a pack of pit bulls and a pit bull mix who escaped their owner's yard.
In that case, siblings ages 5, 6 and 7, were injured. The 5-year old, Destiny Colon, survived massive injuries that included a punctured lung and broken rib cage. Her sister required more than 300 stitches.
The city has a huge pet population that is sometimes out of control, said Fontana Police Capt. Bob Ramsey.
Ramsey reported on the issue in a workshop Sept. 22 attended by Fontana city councilmembers and city staff.
"The vast majority of fatal attacks are by unaltered pit bulls," Ramsey said. Out of 172 attacks in Fontana, 91 were attributed to pit bulls and pit bull mixes. Chained dogs are responsible for 25% of attacks, single dogs for 68% of attacks, multiple dogs, 32%, and roaming dogs, 17%, Ramsey said. Pit bulls are the number one breed euthanized at the shelter.
The proposal to mandate spay and neutering could go a long way in helping because altered dogs typically aren't aggressive, although they still can be stimulated into aggression. But it won't solve the problem of pet overpopulation.
"One female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 dogs in six years," Ramsey said.
The city Animal Services Department provides seven-day a week coverage on a $958,000 annual budget.
Between July 1, 2009 and July 1, 2010, 6,317 dogs were impounded by Animal Services, Ramsey said.
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