There is a new committee in the Town of Amherstburg.
On Monday, council approved the creation of a Dangerous Dog Appeal Committee which Councillor Don McArthur says will consists of three community members.
The committee will hear appeals from dog owners, if their dogs have been designated as dangerous by police or bylaw enforcement officers.
"They'll be there quasi-judicial body in case a bylaw officer, a police officer goes out there and they designate a dog as dangerous," says McArthur. "Folks under the legislation they need to have re-course to apply so in the old days they would appeal to council, all of council as a committee of a whole."
He says a committee lead by community members is not unique.
"Some other municipalities do it, some do it as well with a mixture of councillors and residents," he says. Adding, "I think it's very rarely is it wrong to let residents have the power. We have a very knowledgeable tax base, very knowledgeable residents out here so let's put it into their hands."
McArthur believes many residents will step forward to be a part of the committee.
"I think our residents are more plugged in here than in other municipalities. They really care a lot about their politics. I was knocking on a lot of doors on the campaign trail and there are definitely a lot of dog walkers, dog lovers in Amherstburg as well so I don't think there's going to be any shortage of qualified candidates and residents willing to step up and do their part for their community."
McArthur hopes the committee is in place sooner whether than later.
It's unknown when the town will begin to recruit members.