On Tuesday, the Niagara Falls city clerk's office, in partnership with Niagara Falls Police Department, announced a new system for reporting animal complaints - particularly vicious dogs.
Residents can now register complaints by calling the city clerk's office or through a form on the city's website. Once a report is filed, a Niagara Falls Police animal control officer will be dispatched to the address to investigate the complaint. All report findings will be available on file at the clerk's office, along with the outcome of the investigation.
"This new system will better alert us to potential problems before an attack occurs, and improve the quality of life in city neighborhoods," Niagara Falls City Clerk Lisa Vitello said. "We encourage anyone who may have concerns regarding a vicious dog to reach out to our office to start the investigatory process immediately."
A vicious dog is defined as one that:
•Has approached any person unprovoked in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack on public streets, sidewalks, parks or any public right of way;
•Has aggressively bitten, attacked, endangered or otherwise inflicted injury or death on a domestic animal off its owner's property while unprovoked;
•Was involved in more than one instance of a menacing nature; and
•Has aggressively bitten, attacked, endangered or otherwise inflicted severe personal injury on a human either on public or private property.
Any dog found unlicensed as part of the investigation will be ticketed and forced to license immediately. All vicious dogs will be dealt with according to the New York State Agriculture and Markets law and City of Niagara Falls dog ordinance. Those found in violation are subject to tickets, fines, court appearances and removal of the dog from the residence.
