DETROIT (WXYZ) — The Detroit City Council voted Tuesday to approve a stricter dog ordinance following the mauling deaths of several kids in the city over the past year.
- Family identifies 9-year-old girl fatally mauled by 3 dogs on Detroit's west side
- Neighbors describe how they tried to help girl, 9, mauled to death by pit bulls
The first added a provision that is known as "Emma's Clause" in honor of Emma Hernandez, the 9-year-old girl who was mauled to death in Southwest Detroit on Aug. 19, 2019.
The new rule will require mandatory action for Detroit Animal Control officers to investigate and evaluate verifiable complaints of a dangerous animal, including sitting mandatory visits to the address while taking notes and photos.
BREAKING: Two ordinances PASSED by a 7-0 vote, by Detroit City Council to enact TOUGHER enforcement & penalties for dangerous animals in the city. No objections heard prior to vote. NEW ordinances are to be immediately enforced. @wxyzdetroit #5PM pic.twitter.com/0fMImBiMYS
— Simon Shaykhet WXYZ (@simonshaykhet) February 18, 2020
Another law changed what is known as the Xavier Strickland law, which is named in honor of a 4-year-old Detroit boy who was mauled to death in 2016. That change will include new classifications for animals.
Hernandez was attacked by a pack of dogs while riding her bike through her neighborhood around 4 p.m. on Aug. 19.
Family explained that she frequently rode her bike up and down the street, and was likely trying to turn around in the alley when she was attacked. Emma was knocked off her bike, mauled and killed.
One neighbor explained that she tried to help perform CPR, while the girl’s father tried to help. She ran to help because she heard the commotion.
