Dogs gone wild at LAX

Most of the snarling and flashing of teeth at LAX is done by passengers whose flight has been canceled (or airline has gone bankrupt). But about once a week there really is a dog fight between passengers' pets and the LAPD's bomb and drug sniffing pooches. There have been so many cases of dog-on-dog violence (with a hapless owner caught in the middle) and distractions caused by other pets that LAX passengers might be required to cage their pets during their next airport visit, according to the Daily News.

The LAPD's canine handlers have all experienced "close calls" in which someone's pet has lashed out at the police dogs, according to [LAPD chief William] Bratton.

"This often causes the owner to reach out for their pet and risk being bitten by the working canine who is reacting instinctively to a perceived attack," Bratton wrote. "This occurs on a routine, possibly weekly, basis."

Pet owners who fail to cage their animals would face fines ranging from $25 to $65. The proposed ordinance was approved today by the City Council committee on public safety. But it still needs to go through more review and public comment before it becomes law. That's when the real dog fight will begin.

-- Jesus Sanchez

Photo: Los Angeles Times