Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, February 1, 1991                   TAG: 9102010782
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

TOUGHER DOG LAW IS SOUGHT/ LEGISLATION WOULD GIVE LOCALITIES MORE AUTHORITY

Legislation has been introduced in the General Assembly that would authorize localities to destroy vicious dogs and impose strict regulations on the keeping of dangerous animals.

Councilman David Bowers said today the bill would "provide the much-needed authority" for localities to deal with the threat of vicious dogs.

India Renee Hairston suffered injuries to her face, head and neck in an attack as she was waiting for a school bus last October.

At the urging of Councilman William White, council voted earlier to urge the legislature to provide the safeguards.

Bowers, chairman of council's legislative committee, said the bill was introduced in response to the city's request and a special legislative committee that has been studying the need for tougher controls.

The city has a law barring ownership of dogs known to be vicious and authorizing authorities to kill dogs that attack without provocation.

But officials said stronger legislation is needed to control the growing popularity of dogs bred for attacks - including pit bulls and Rottweilers.

City Attorney Wilburn Dibling said today he has read the proposed legislation and he thinks it would enable the city to enact tighter controls.

Altha Dowe, who teaches at Round Hill Elementary School where India attends, and Doris Thurman, who lives across the street from the Hairstons, rescued the child.

A witness said the dog, which lived next door to India's home on Greenhurst Avenue, had the 54-pound girl by the back of the neck and jerked her around like a rag doll.

In a report on council's agenda for Monday, Bowers also said a bill that would create a commission to own and operate a conference center at Hotel Roanoke is expected to proceed routinely through the legislative process.

Bowers said several technical issues with the legislation have been resolved and Del. Clifton Woodrum, D-Roanoke, expects it to be approved.

The proposed commission would have six members - three to be appointed by council and three by Virginia Tech.

The commission would have the power to sell bonds, set fees and establish booking policies for the conference center. It would operate similar to the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission.

The conference center is considered a key to attracting investors for renovating the hotel.

The city and Tech have agreed to commit $4 million each in tax-free revenue bonds to build an $8 million conference center next to a renovated 400-room hotel.

Earlier, Roanoke County discussed the possibility of giving $4 million so a larger center could be built, but it has not agreed to do so.

The proposed legislation provides the opportunity for the county or other localities to join the commission later.

If the county wants to join, the amount of contribution and the number of seats on the commission would be negotiated and subject to approval by the commission, city and Tech.