HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmergency Services Committee Minutes 02.25.2013 MINUTES
EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 25, 2013
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5:30 P.M.
Members Present: Doug Poehls Dick Fritzler
Tom Nelson Bruce McGee
Bill Mountsier Clete Knaub
Others Present: Jean Kerr Mike Moran
Dog Ordinance
Chairman Doug Poehls presented a draft of the dog ordinance which had revisions to definitions
pertaining to "animal ", "nuisance animal ", "dangerous animal ", "dwelling unit ", "keeper" and "bite ".
The committee went over changes within Section 6.08.080 "Violation- Penalty" and increased
maximum fines from $300.00 to $500.00. Section 6.12.030 "Disposition of impounded animals ", the
refusal or failure of the owner of any impounded animal pay the fee and charges within five days, was
changed to within seventy -two hours of notification or shall be held to be an abandonment of the
animal by the owner. In Section 6.16.010 "Keeping certain animals prohibited" sheep was added. In
Section 6.16.015 "Keeping of wild/exotic animals ", constrictor snake was added. Within the city
limits, a female dog or cat in heat shall be confined in an enclosed building.
Mike Moran told the committee his concerns of the number of dogs that run without leashes within the
city. He has been attacked and bitten a number of times. There are people who walk dogs which are
not on a leash. He is aware of areas of town that he considers unsafe to walk because of dogs that will
attack him or his dog. He knows of one dog that is a wolf hybrid.
Jean Kerr, City Judge, spoke of one homeowner in the trailer court who said she had ten dogs and then
it was found out that she owned 20 dogs. Jean asked for clarification on how to deal with these
extreme situations. As city judge, she has the discretion to allow people to find homes for animals
rather than to euthanize excessive animals. She agrees that the ordinance clearly states a homeowner
may own and license only two dogs. Jean asked about a city resident that keeps rescue dogs and has
numerous animals within her home. It was discussed that a complaint from a private citizen would
bring that issue to the attention of the law.
Bruce McGee mentioned that the wording that each household shall not possess more than two dogs is
only found within the definition of "noncommercial kennel ". He commented that it should also be in
Section 6.08.010 Licensing requirements or Section 6.08.020 License fee.
Bruce suggested that "commercial kennels" also be discussed by the committee. Discussion was on
whether commercial kennels should be restricted from residential areas in the city limits. It was
suggested a commercial kennel within the city limits should follow proper zoning codes and be in a
business district and require a business license. It was brought to the attention of the committee that
there needed to be a kennel definition for clarification of the code. It was questioned if there should be
no "commercial kennels" or "noncommercial kennels" within the dog ordinance.
A motion was made by Bruce McGee and seconded by Bill Mountsier to present the draft revised dog
ordinance to the council. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully,
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Neva Hall
Secretary