BRADY FLANIGANStaff Writer

Tullahoma has cracked down on its vicious dog problem with the unanimous passage of Ordinance No. 1639 by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Oct. 14—side-captioned last minute as “Bruiser’s Law” by Alderman Kurt Glick. It’s named after Tullahoma resident Brian Mosely, whose dog Bruiser had to be put down after he was torn apart in July by a pack of his neighbor’s shepherds. He petitioned the city to address this problem, and after a round of public comment and two board meetings, they finally did. This new ordinance tightens the leash on the city’s weak animal control code.  

The amendment gives the city extra power to deal with “vicious dogs”—granting the authority to impound them at the owner’s expense if they are noncompliant, and even granting the authority to put them down if the owner doesn’t meet the new requirements for keeping their animals under control after being returned. Bruiser’s death wasn’t the first time an incident like this happened to him. When he was killed, he was already wearing a vest because of a prior attack. 

While the ordinance was being drafted, two more attacks occurred, one involving a seven year old who ended up requiring foot surgery. The ordinance introduces a three-tier classification system for dangerous dogs, with tier three reserved for dogs that pose a risk to human life. Under the new rules, dogs involved in attacks can be taken off the streets and into a shelter until their hearing. If their owners fail to meet strict containment standards, the dogs could face euthanasia. The law’s passage is a big win for residents like Mosely, who have been calling for change. With Ordinance No. 1639 now in effect, animal control has the green light to enforce these new rules immediately.