Most of Omaha’s new dog ordinances have been in effect since October 15th and animal control officers are busy enforcing the rules as well as educating dog owners.

“We're educating as much as citing," said Mark Langan with the Nebraska Humane Society. "We've cited in some instances when we thought a citation was appropriate, but our job is also to educate the public. We're telling the public about the new ordinances, what they have to do to satisfy the new ordinances."

So far, 24 potentially dangerous dog declarations have been issued. "We feel that by declaring those dogs potentially dangerous, putting requirements on those dogs, hopefully in the future those dogs won't pose any harm to any of the citizens of Omaha," said Langan.

Another 19 citations have been issued for dogs who have been tied up outside for longer than 15 minutes without someone 19 years or older nearby.

One of the new ordinances also requires owners of dangerous animals, potentially dangerous animals and pit bulls to carry $100,000 of liability insurance for their pet. Animal control officers have issued 13 citations for no proof of insurance.

Of the six insurance companies contacted by Channel 6 News about coverage for pit bulls and other "dangerous" breeds, only Farmer's Insurance said their basic homowner's policy included that type of coverage.

But that would change if a dog had a violent incident. The other five companies all said they did not cover those types of dog breeds.

One insurance agent said dog owners who need insurance may have to find a specialized insurance broker to provide the coverage required by the new ordinance.

One reckless owner declaration has been issued due to an owner that was not complying with his potentially dangerous dog declaration. This declaration is still in the 10-day appeal period.

Starting January 1st, pit bulls and pit bull mixes will be required to wear a muzzle when outside of a house or securely fenced yard. Exceptionally gentle pit bulls can get a muzzle exemption by passing the canine good citizen test and completing all of the other strict requirements of the Breed Ambassador Program.

Scooter Fruge’s pit bull/lab mix named Sadie was the first dog in Omaha to pass the canine good citizen test. Fruge says the test confirmed that Sadie was not dangerous.

"We basically walk towards each other with the dogs on our side and make sure the dogs don't cross and try to growl or try to play with the other dog," said Fruge.

"The only thing that I was going to have trouble with here is the sit and stay for the 20 feet. That was about it, but everything else I knew she was going to pass perfect."

Fruge said Sadie is a favorite in the neighborhood. "We had her outdoors during Halloween with all the kids trick-or-treating. She did great. All the people love her and we don't want to use that muzzle. We just don't like it."

For more information about the new dog ordinances and the Breed Ambassador Program, go to the new ordinance page at the Nebraska Humane Society Web site.

The family who helped push for tougher monitoring and punishment of dangerous dogs in Omaha will see their case return to court. The Blevins fought for those changes on behalf of their daughter Charlotte, whose scalp was ripped off by a pit bull in June.

The dog’s owner, Tina Agerson, pleaded no contest to the charges that included harboring a dangerous animal. She will be sentenced Thursday morning.