The mauling death of a small dog named Bella ignited public debate over how the county’s Animal Services department operates.

The county has made numerous changes to animal codes following a fatal dog attack in Gainesville in September.

Animal Services must now impound a dog that is under investigation for being dangerous, unless the officer determines it is safe to leave the dog with the owner.

The fees for animal citations will increase to more closely match the city of Gainesville’s. Examples include raising the fine for failing to physically control a dog from $50 to $250, and raising the fine for having a nuisance animal from $75 to $250.

The county also will close a loophole in which animal owners were given multiple first-time citations for equivalent violations.

Also, the county attorney now no longer needs approval from the board to file a legal action.

The changes were proposed in November, when the board also approved two Animal Investigator positions after the incident in September when three pit bulls attacked and killed a small dog named Bella.

The case ignited public debate over how the county’s Animal Services department operates.

In September, Bella and owner Linda Swinburn were on a walk in the Northwood Pines neighborhood when three pit bulls charged them and mauled Bella. Swinburn was injured as she tried to fend off the dogs. The dogs were owned by Nathaniel Pettiford.

The three pit bulls were euthanized in late November after being deemed dangerous and taken into county custody.