(KNZA)--The Jackson County Commission is now requiring that certain dog breeds owned by county residents be registered yearly with the sheriff’s department. 

It’s part of an updated county policy on dangerous dogs, which the commission adopted by resolution last week, and that takes effect February 23rd.

The Holton Recorder reports a section of the new resolution requires that anyone in the unincorporated areas of the county who owns a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Bull Terrier or a hybrid of any of those breeds register their dog with the sheriff’s office on or before April 1st every year.  The registration fee is $25.

Commissioner Janet Zwonitzer told the newspaper the commission isn’t trying penalize people with those breeds, but to let emergency personnel know where the dogs are in case they respond to an incident at that residence.   She says it’s for the safety of the county’s employees.

Zwonitzer says the new resolution recognizes that any dog can be a dangerous dog, and not just specific breeds.

 The resolution states any dog that’s deemed “ dangerous” must be securely kept in a building or kennel, must be secured on a leash no longer than four feet and can’t be leashed to inanimate objects such as trees or posts and left unattended.

 If a dog in the county is considered dangerous, a sign must be displayed where the dog is kept that says “ Beware of Dangerous Dog.”

 After a hearing, a dangerous dog can be ordered to be humanely killed under certain conditions by the county district court.

 Violation of the resolution, including failing to register a dog, can result in a fine of between $50 and $500 and 30 days in the county jail.