Mississippi County Struggles With Vicious Dog Ordinance

The Lafayette County Board of Supervisors is working to come up with language for an ordinance dealing with vicious dogs.

The Oxford Eagle reports that supervisors are concerned that an ordinance that goes too far could affect rural residents who have numerous dogs. The board has been looking at ordinances from neighboring counties, one that deals with vicious animals and one that also includes so-called “nuisance dogs” – defined as dogs that trespass, howl and bark.

Supervisor Robert Blackmon said Monday he supported a vicious dog ordinance but that it was not the county’s place to deal with annoying mutts.

“Dogs bark – it’s their nature,” Blackmon said. “We’ve been talking about this kind of thing for 15 or more years and we haven’t stopped any dogs from barking.”

Supervisor and Board President Jeff Busby said he understands the need for a vicious dog ordinance, but he is not sure he could support one for nuisance dogs.

“We have some kennels out in the county and there’s 10 dogs or so there who bark,” Busby said. “I don’t think I could shut down a business for dogs barking.”

Last month, Supervisor Chad McLarty presented board members with a copy of DeSoto County’s dog ordinance which covered vicious animals as well as a nuisance ordinance. Since then, he has given them copies of Monroe County’s vicious dog ordinance that only deals with vicious dogs and leaves out dealing with nuisance dogs.

At Monday’s meeting, McLarty said he didn’t necessarily expect a vote, but wanted to discuss a possible ordinance.

According to state statute, the local sheriff is mandated to handle vicious dogs. But Lafayette County Sheriff Buddy East said the statute doesn’t tell him how to do it.

“I’d like something in place that tells us how to handle it,” East said in support of the vicious dog ordinance. “We got a dog out there now that’s bit three people and killed two pets. We can’t catch him. But if we do, what do we do with him?”