Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmergency Services Committee Minutes 05.21.2012 MINUTES EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMITTEE MAY 21, 2012 COUNCIL CHAMBERS 5:30 P.M. Members Present: Doug Poehls Dick Fritzler (6:30 p.m.) Tom Nelson Pat Kimmet Bruce McGee Others Present: Rick Musson Update Police Shooting Range Chief Musson stated that the Police Department has decided to continue to use the state land across from Fisher Sand and Gravel for a shooting range. The department has been using that location for years and one of the problems is that it is open to the public. In using the state land, they find that they clean up trash that is continually dumped or left by the public. The department has decided to clean up the current shooting range and make it safe and looked into complaints of ricocheting of bullets. The officers have helped and a bobcat was donated to move a large chunk of concrete. They moved their targets in 25 yards up to the berm. It was mentioned that it will continue to be an ongoing problem with the public leaving trash. The state will not fence the area off to the public because it is state land. The location is convenient for the police department. Rick said it can be a problem with public being there when the officers are practicing. They have to explain to the public that they are using it for practice shooting. Update Animal Ordinance Doug explained the concerns regarding dogs attacking another dog or a person. The committee will look at the city ordinance and update areas of concern. Doug received information from American Dog Breeders Association explaining that pit bulls are not a specific breed, but a conglomeration that could potentially describe countless numbers of medium and large dogs and their mixes. It states that it is vital that the public become more informed about dog behavior and pet owners be responsible, as well as educated about how to train/socialize their dogs. Terry Cherry, 405 Laurmac, stated that she doesn't want to see any specific breed eliminated. She is a definite animal advocate. She wants to see protection for responsible dog owners. What matters is that she needs to protect her animals and would hate to see someone else's beloved pet put down because of its breed. She wants an ordinance to have specific guidelines so owners can protect and be responsible for their animals. Heather Cunning of Laurel is involved with rescuing animals and with pit bull rescue. She owns a pit bull cross. She has seen more problems with small dogs biting than large dogs, so she doesn't think it should be breed isolation. She thinks no dog should be at large and something should be in the ordinance about kennel licenses. She did inquire about buying a small kennel license with the city because she has more than two dogs. She would like to see something written in the ordinance for people who rescue dogs. Chuck Dickerson, 501 W. 13 St., has a concern about dogs being taken to public parks. He lives across the street from Murray Park and wants the leash law and animal waste pickup to be enforced. Many leashes allow dogs to walk a long distance and then get reeled in. He expressed that ordinances need to be enforced by letting people know they will be fined. Parks are no place to take dogs and let them run where there are children. Owners need to have control of their dog while out walking or playing in parks. He expressed that parks are not dog runs. Monty Cherry, 405 Laurmac, expressed the city needs adequate dog control and let people know there are large fines. It was questioned if the dog catcher works part time, then who else is responsible for writing tickets. He doesn't blame the dogs but blames the owners. Owners need adequate leashes to control their dogs so they cannot enter yards, especially a yard where another dog is located on its own property. He said an owner needs to be responsible when their dog does attack and causes injury to another animal or person. Helene Tiefenthaler, 2331 Old Hwy 10 West, is a certified dog trainer and certified dog behavior counselor. She would like to see more education for everyone including dog owners, non -dog owners, children and officials in the city. An animal control officer having contact with dogs needs to be educated. Ordinances should be written clearly. Fines that are set and made to gradually get higher after a warning are beneficial, as paying out money hurts people. Some cities have limits on the length of a leash. Anything hooked to the owner or dog can be considered a leash. Dogs will wander when they are let off a leash. Dogs see children run and want to run also. She suggested dog parks which are a safe place to take dogs. There are single dog parks, family dog parks, but an open dog park is not safe. Helene mentioned Dog Bite Prevention Week and believes education is important. Most bites happen on the face. Children who see parents kiss their dog on the face want to try it. It may be safe with their dog but not the neighbor's dog. She spoke on the level of a dog bite and said few places know how to evaluate a level of a bite. A program of Dr. Dunbar explains the levels of dog bites from 1 to 5. Level 3 and under would not be concerning, as that dog inhibited their bite. A 4 to 5 is questionable, if the dog is dangerous and the bite was intentional. She would like to see education programs city wide. She provides free education to schools. Dogs need proper training. She feels the city ordinance needs to be updated. Jean Kerr, 1128 9 Ave, spoke about neighbors who have more than one dog that bark and howl. She suggested the kennel ordinance needs to be defined. She spoke about a nuisance when an owner doesn't pick up dog waste in their own yard and it smells. She said when a person cares for rescued dogs there should be an inspection for adequate fencing. Also important is the proper care for the safety of the animals and everyone involved. She suggested keeping track of tickets with multiple warnings. There is a problem with dogs at large especially those that have a record of previous charges. The ordinance needs to protect herself as judge when she makes graduated fines and sticks to the three convictions rule. She would like the penalty spelled out in the ordinances clearly. She would like to see an ordinance on cruelty of animals. Dustin Stoll, 307 Forrest, feels a person learns from his mistakes. He passed around a picture of a fatal dog attack. The owner may have gotten fined or the dog taken away or put down, but it wouldn't bring the little girl back. He feels if there is any question a dog is vicious, there needs to be a consequence. The dog needs to be muzzled and confined in a fenced area and not just tied up. He wonders how long a person has to tolerate it when a nuisance dog is barking. Kelly Rhoads, 911 E. 4 St., stated her concern about a dog bite coming under a nuisance dog in the city ordinance. It states upon a third conviction, the nuisance animal may be seized and taken up by any law enforcement officer and put to death. Her child got bitten by a dog which had bitten before, so this was its 2 offense. The dog wasn't put down because it gets one more chance. Her son had surgery on 7 layers of his face with 157 stitches. A dog should not get more than one chance. The owner didn't produce current rabies certification or dog tags and didn't take responsibility for their dog. Kelly got nothing for having her son's face severely bitten. She stated if a person cannot be forced to buy dog tags, then a person cannot be forced to go to class and be educated to be a good dog owner. She wants the ordinance changed so a dog doesn't get three chances to bite, as next time it could kill a child. Helene Tiefenthaler spoke again regarding dog bites. She emphasized educating adults and children on being safe around a dog. She doesn't always blame the dog because they act on behavior. Terry Cherry is bothered about a dog getting three strikes. Heather stated that a dog will jump fences and attack. Owners need to be responsible for their animal whether the dog is in their own yard or being walked. Jean Kerr said we are talking about dogs that are always in trouble. When dog owners don't take care of a dog, most likely they are not responsible themselves. Monty Cherry said an ordinance needs to protect people who are attacked. An owner should have home owner's insurance to help with expenses when their dog bites. People need to be more responsible. Doug turned the discussion over to the committee members. It was asked if other city ordinances have been reviewed. The committee will address these issues by reviewing other city ordinances and updating the Laurel's animal ordinance. Doug stated the committee will discuss this at the next meeting. Respectfully Submitted, ;Jr,76 -' Neva Hall, Secretary