There will be a special work session on Wednesday, Feb. 8, to discuss a piece of legislation that would regulate “vicious and dangerous dogs.”

The legislation comes in response to a horrific attack by a pit-bull mix last month that left a six-year-old boy dead and seriously injured a five-year-old girl. Fox 5 reported that there was a third child injured in the same attack.

The work session will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 8 in Committee Room, No. 1 at Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Avenue S.W.

“Recently there has been a disturbing increase in attacks by dangerous and vicious dogs in the City of Atlanta, including a recent incident where one child was killed and two others were injured in an attack involving three dogs,” the meeting announcement says. “Atlanta City Council member Keisha Lance Bottoms, District 11, has proposed legislation to provide more restrictive control and regulation of vicious and dangerous dogs within the city of Atlanta and to ensure that the City of Atlanta Code of Ordinances is consistent with state law regarding such animals.”

Here is the full meeting announcement:

Work session scheduled on animal control and regulation

ATLANTA – The Chair of the Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee of the Atlanta City Council, Councilmember Andre Dickens, has called for a work session to discuss legislation related to animal control and regulation from 1 until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, February 8 in Committee Room No. 1, Atlanta Hall, 55 Trinity Avenue, S.W.

Recently there has been a disturbing increase in attacks by dangerous and vicious dogs in the City of Atlanta, including a recent incident where one child was killed and two others were injured in an attack involving three dogs.

Atlanta City Councilmember Keisha Lance Bottoms, District 11, has proposed legislation to provide more restrictive control and regulation of vicious and dangerous dogs within the city of Atlanta and to ensure that the City of Atlanta Code of Ordinances is consistent with state law regarding such animals.

This work session will provide the City Council an opportunity to further discuss Councilmember Bottoms’ legislation and hear from a variety of partners including the Fulton County City Manager, Dick Anderson, Fulton County Animal Services Executive Director, Lara Hudson, and subject matter experts on:

–          Statistics and other data on dog/animal attacks in the City;

–          Public awareness, education, and prevention strategies regarding dog/animal attacks; and

–          Potential approaches to better enforcement of current laws regarding dog/animal attacks.

The public is invited to the Council work session and are encouraged to submit written comment to Julia Pulidindi atjrpulidindi@atlantaga.gov.