One of the attacks killed a 3-year-old boy in July.
Joe McCoy
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Proposed Changes
Rising Incidents
A family's plea for accountability
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn.
In July, 3-year-old Covil Allen lost his life in a horrific dog attack while his family was considering adopting a puppy from a friend. This devastating incident, along with several other dog attacks in the area, has prompted Brooklyn Park city officials to propose new regulations for 2025.
Brooklyn Park Police Inspector Toni Weinbeck outlined some of the proposed changes, which include:
Weinbeck emphasized the importance of addressing issues related to improper breeding practices, stating, “That was causing some issues too, with maybe people that don’t understand how to breed animals appropriately. Maybe don’t know the signs, the cues from animals that show aggression.”
The push for new regulations comes in response to a concerning trend in animal-related incidents in Brooklyn Park:
Tasha Karrick and Chuck Allen, Covil’s parents, are advocating for stricter accountability measures for pet owners. They believe criminal charges should be considered in cases where a dog causes a fatality. “We truly think there should be something criminal,” Allen said. “I personally think that people would probably take it more seriously, you know, if they heard that there were laws, and if your dog kills somebody, guess what, you’re going to go to jail.”
Brooklyn Park is also partnering with Midwest Animal Rescue and Services to offer Low-cost microchipping services and educational classes for dog owners on recognizing signs of potential aggression.
The Brooklyn Park Police Department plans to present the proposed ordinance changes to the City Council in January 2025.
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