Mandan gets new Dog Leash law

In one city, dog owners have to keep their animals on a shorter leash.

Have you ever walked your dog and you or your dog been attacked? Well, the city of Mandan is trying to reduce the chances of that happening.

The city approved an ordinance that shortens the length of a Dog Leash from 12 feet to 6 feet. Officials say a dog attack that happened last summer played a huge role in this decision.

[There were two pit bulls that attacked a mother and a daughter that was walking near home. It caused some significant injuries to their legs," said Lt. Haug, Mandan Police Department.

Haug with the Mandan Police Department says he gets reports on dog attacks occasionally and it`s something that can happen in a split second and be fatal.

Now, that the new law is in place, dog owners are speaking out.

[I don`t see a problem with it as long as we have access to places like the dog park where we can let the dogs off and run around. We want a safer community for our dogs and for people," said Wade Broeckel, Mandan resident.

Other dog owners say it puts limitations on them and their pet.

[I have never seen anyone with a 12-foot leash. I have seen the ones that are retractable but people generally don`t use the whole 12 feet. But if a dog is on a leash I don`t understand how they can attack someone and do that kind of damage," said Dean Johansen, Mandan resident.

The ordinance also allows police officers to hand out citations on the spot. So if your dog is off a leash or if the leash is longer than 6 feet, you will be charged $20.

If you or your dog is ever attacked, call the police department and make a report.

The new ordinance went into effect this past Monday.