Controversial dog policy passed by Lynn council

LYNN – A controversial amendment that requires owners of vicious dogs in the city as well as the landlords who house them to take out a $250,000 liability insurance policy for public safety was unanimously approved by the City Council Tuesday.The ordinance will go into effect next month.Under the amendment, the city must be listed as a co-insurer on the policy so officials can be made aware if it is canceled. A fine of $300 for each offense will be in effect as well.After laboring over the proposed amendment for several months, Ward 1 City Councilor Wayne Lozzi breathed a sigh of relief after he learned the amendment had passed.”I’m relieved that this reached a culmination of a lot of work,” he said. “I was told by one insurance company that the cost would only be something like under $100 a year to take out a policy (a dollar figure which refers to the previously proposed $100,000 liability coverage).”Officials acknowledged this amendment could be difficult to enforce, but worth the effort in an attempt to protect residents.On top of the insurance policy, Lozzi said city officials are still investigating whether the dangerous dogs could be outfitted with microchips at $35-$40 apiece to quickly identify who the dog belongs to in the event of an emergency.Dr. David Dunn of North Shore Animal Hospital voiced approval of the potential microchips at a meeting in July, and said he would investigate prices and companies offering the service in the area.In addition to the public safety aspect, the amendment would also act as another tool for the only animal control officer in the city, Kevin Farnsworth, to track down the vicious animals and take control over the rampant situation.The idea for the amendment stems from a brutal attack on then pregnant Lynn teacher Julie Potter while she was jogging on Lynnfield Street last October 17.Potter was bitten numerous times all over her body and said she feared for her life at the time of the attack.Nearly a year after the incident, Potter previously spoke in support of the amendment and praised Lozzi for his efforts to keep residents safe.According to city attorney Vincent Phelan, a dog is deemed vicious only after a complaint is received about a particular dog and a hearing is held by the Lynn Police Department to determine its status.While Lozzi acknowledged several dog attacks in the past have involved pit bulls, it is important to not just target one breed, but instead all breeds to protect the residents of Lynn.