Fairburn Councilman Scott Vaughn is set to introduce a proposed city ordinance at the Nov. 14 council meetingt that he said would protect the public and promote what he termed a family-friendly community.

His proposal concerns the city adopting a breed specific ban on the type of dog breed Fairburn residents would be allowed to own, plus other dog-related issues.

“I am proposing three elements in this ordinance,” Vaughn said. “They include the total ban on tethering of dogs or the city adopting a strict limit on such practices pertaining to the length of the tether, the dog owner attendance to a tethered dog or a time limit with regard to how long a dog would be tethered.”

His resolution is modeled after a Colorado law which makes it unlawful for any person to “have, own, possess, keep, exercise control over, maintain, harbor, transport or sell within the city any pit bull or restricted breed of dog.”

Vaughn said city officials have received public input about issues concerning dogs and, in the last few years, have received calls concerning dog attacks.

“We want to create the most family-friendly environment we can but there are dangers which exist regarding people not properly controlling their dogs or not being accountable for their dogs,” he said, adding, if it were up to him, he would outright ban the practice of tethering a dog because such practices tend to affect the dog’s behavior.

His proposal would also strengthen the current city ordinance regarding tethering.

Although the tethering issue was not part of Vaughn’s original concern, he said several residents have complained to city officials that, because of a tethered dog, they are being forced to walk into the street to safely get by the dog on a homeowner’s property.

In addition to the tethering issue, Vaughn is also proposing that all dogs which are being walked would be muzzled as well as a breed specific ban or distinct requirements on the control of such breeds.

“Certain breeds are not only overwhelmingly responsible for dog-related fatalities but their mere presence is menacing and creates an environment of fear and intimidation,” he said.

Vaughn added that any dog can bite someone “but only a few are just so powerful and vicious that their presence is a threat to the community.”