Vicious dog ordinance is welcome news for one family

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) -- There are hundreds of people in the Central Texas area bitten by dogs every year. But less than 100 dogs are considered dangerous.

Three and a half years ago, Arian Ritchie was mauled by five dogs. She's had to undergo surgeries and skin grafts.

It was because of her attack that two Travis County dog restrictions were passed.

"I don't want to see anybody else have to go through this. You just can't imagine the horror of seeing your little girl or little boy torn up the way I seen my daughter tore up," said father Chris Ritchie.

"The vicious dog ordinance requires that pretty significant damage has to be have occurred," said Town Lake Animal Center Director Dorinda Pulliam, "and then the remedy, or what's done about that, is that the animal must be taken out of the city limits, so there's no opportunity for the pet owner to keep their pet and manage it more responsibly."

The Austin City Council is expected to vote on the new vicious dog ordinance this summer.