CALLAWAY — Following recommendations from Bay County Animal Control, Callaway’s Code Enforcement Board voted unanimously to classify a pit bull as dangerous at a public hearing Thursday.
Christina Gomez — the dog’s owner — opposed the decision, saying testimony was “overexaggerated” and the hearing was unfair.
“I don’t think she is any different than a tea cup Chihuahua,” Gomez said.
The 3-year-old grey and white pit bull — Lita — is currently impounded at the county’s animal shelter and classified as a dangerous dog.
Officials from Animal Control testified Lita had menaced at a woman with a baby located on public property in April and bitten a man on his lower calf in March. The investigation also revealed the dog leaving its property on North Kimbrel Avenue and chasing people nearby.
“She’s a dog,” Gomez pleaded with the board, insisting the dog was “protective” and had recently become pregnant, therefore more aggressive.
However, “if she wanted to bite them, she would have bit them,” she added.
The dog owner’s view was that the dog had shown signs of aggression, but should not be classified as dangerous. Gomez complained to the board that, though Lita has been cited on several occasions, she was unaware of her rights as a dog owner and no one made her aware of them.
“I think I should have been informed about what I could have done,” Gomez said.
Board members asked her questions about why no one else was present to testify on the dog’s behalf and why had the dog not been spayed.
“I don’t know,” she responded.
In order for the Gomez family to keep Lita, they will have to obtain a special permit. But in order to do so, they’ll have to provide proof of $100,000 worth of coverage for bodily injury or death of any person or damage, which may be in the form of insurance or a surety bond with the county Clerk of Courts office.
Other provisions include providing a secure enclosure for the dog with a warning sign at all entry points and making sure no one lives within 100 feet of where Lita is kept.
By state law, Lita could be given away, but under the classification of dangerous dog with the same set of restrictions.
If Lita’s owners do not obtain the dangerous dog permit, Lita will be euthanized.
“She had ample opportunity from December 2011 until today (to find a solution),” said board member Janene Melvin. “… I am a dog owner; I love dogs. My heart goes out to her, but under the circumstances — the dog will eventually turn against her children.”