Papillion Municipal Code could see some updates to dangerous dogs policy

Papillion City Council introduces possible changes to the dangerous dog policy. The amendments would place more responsibility in the hands of the Nebraska Humane Society.

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Papillion considers updates to dangerous dogs policy

PAPILLION, Neb. —

The Papillion Municipal Code could see some updates in September.

“We more clarified the language, tightened up the language so that it’s easier to interpret,” Trenton Albers, Papillion’s communications director, said.

Albers said the amendment of Chapter 85 focuses on the difference between a potentially dangerous and a dangerous dog.

“A potentially dangerous dog is a dog that has inflicted damage that doesn’t require medical attention,” Albers said.

On the other hand, a dangerous dog has hurt another person or animal to the point that they need medical attention. Previously, the city’s court managed all designations, but should the amendments be approved, those would instead be decided by the Nebraska Humane Society.

“If a resident wanted to make an appeal of that designation, now they will appeal to the humane society first,” Albers said.

He also said the city has wanted to update the ordinance for a while, especially after it was put in the spotlight in 2025.

“We had an incident about a year ago where a dog attacked another dog, and it just shoed some of the difficulties in interpreting our ordinance,” Albers said.

The changes would also ban the use of leg traps within the city. They had previously been allowed for wild animals, but the city has deemed them inhumane. Additionally, all Class IV felonies referenced in Chapter 85 would instead become Class I misdemeanors.

The ordinance will be up for public debate at the next city council meeting on Aug. 18.

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