CANFIELD TOWNSHIP — Trustees on Monday discussed a request to review and make changes to the township’s dog policies made by Zoning Inspector Traci DeCapua.

“Traci has asked us to look at our dog control policy. It is old and hard to enforce,” Trustee Brian Governor said.

Decapua stated the current dog policies date back to a 2007 resolution that was passed. Over the past 18 years, the Ohio Revised Code has changed, but the township is still using the 2007 policy.

DeCapua said the major change from the state involves breeds. The 2007 policy has old wording that required the “pit bull” breed to be registered as a dangerous dog.

“Now, the breed has been removed completely,” DeCapua said. “It is now not the breed, just the deed.”

She said the state has concluded that a vicious dog could be any breed. Essentially, it now includes any dog that is vicious and dangerous, regardless of breed or size. DeCapua said that part of the dog policy needs to be revised.

She also wants trustees to address noisy dogs. The ORC covers barking dogs and when they are a nuisance, which also would need to be amended in the township’s resolution on dogs.

“We need to fix the dog policy so homeowners will have a guide,” trustee Joe Paloski said.

All three trustees agreed the changes need to be made.

Whether civil or criminal, it would be the sheriff who would handle the calls.

DeCapua said it is hard to prove a nuisance barking dog. She said the ORC does have a time frame for barking dogs, after which they are declared a nuisance. Even if the dog owner were cited in court, there is nothing that stops them from going back home and allowing the dog to keep barking.

Over the next few months, trustees will look at the needed changes and likely will have a new resolution to replace the 2007 one.

In other business, trustees:

• Approved a resolution to sell 108 tons of road salt to the Canfield Local School District at a cost of $5,389.20. In addition, the school district will pay $32.85 per truck load for labor and equipment costs.

• Approved requesting financial assistance from the ABC Water and Stormwater District for the 2025 Ivy Lane Project. Total reimbursement requested is $4,446.75.

• Approved a request for 25 mph signs for Victory Lane, Winners Circle and Paddock Circle.