City tightens pit bull regulations

WORCESTER (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - The Worcester City Council has approved new regulations that will make it more expensive to license pit bulls and other dangerous dogs, and require them to be leashed or muzzled while off their owner's property.

The ordinance that passed 9-2 yesterday night takes effect April 1.

The ordinance charges $50 more for their registration and licensing than for other dogs.

The Telegram & Gazette reports that it also requires the owners of dangerous dogs to post signs on their property, and to notify police whenever their animal injures or threatens a person or other animal.

Councilor William Eddy says that while about 4 percent of the city's dogs are pit bulls, they account for nearly half the dog bites.