An ordinance regarding dangerous dogs in Clallam County is a little more forgiving than before.

After review by the county’s Animal Issues Advisory Committee, administered by the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, considerable changes were made to Ordinance 17.03.

“Thanks goes to the committee for their hard work in creating a new and improved dangerous dog code,” Clallam County Commissioner Mike Chapman said. “I know it was the result of a great deal of discussion and compromises, but we’ve reached a new code that the entire community can be proud of.”

One of the biggest changes is no longer allowing dogs to be declared “potentially dangerous” for chasing wildlife.

Additionally, dogs declared potentially dangerous may have the designation removed if they exhibit good behavior for two years.

For dogs who are declared dangerous, if owners fail or are unable to comply with the county code, the dogs may be transferred to animal care facilities.

There also is a new procedure for reviewing and declaring dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs who have moved from other jurisdictions.

“We’re committed to an animal control policy that balances the need for public safety while respecting the rights of dog owners,” said Sheriff Bill Benedict in a news release. “I’d like to thank to the citizen volunteers on the Animal Issues Advisory Committee for working with animal control officer Tracy Kellas and chief civil deputy Alice Hoffman to reach a new and improved code.”

The ordinance was approved by commissioners Oct. 25.