Pet licensing ordinance gets first round approval

Councilman Rex Knapp, who voted against the ordinance, emphasized that his action was not that he was against either dogs or cats but was based on his belief that responsibility for proper control of pets belongs to owners themselves.

"It should not be the city's job, nor that of the police to control the pets," he said.

Knapp used by way of comparison, city action establishing a curfew to restrict activities of young people when, in fact, in this case, it is the parents, not the city, who should be responsible, he said.

His stance Tuesday could possibly change during action on the final two readings on the measure, Knapp said.

The ordinance, Councilwoman Dalena Ihrke said, has a two-fold purpose.

"We see the ordinance as assisting pet owners in helping to locate lost pets," she said, "and secondly, as a way to help in funding an animal control person."

Ihrke and Councilman Ken Nelson represented the council during development of the new ordinance. City Attorney Joe Flannery, city staff and local veterinarians were among additional committee members.

Nelson noted that he sees the ordinance as also providing help to the city in controlling all types of what he termed "roaming animals" that might come to the attention of the animal control staff while carrying out their future duties.

Animal control funding was cut from the fiscal year 2009 budget and has since been assigned to the police department.

The new ordinance as written will require the annual licensing of all dogs and cats age 6 months or more by a local veterinarian with proof of current vaccinations required. The annual licensing fee is set at $6 for neutered or spayed pets with a $12 fee for other animals.

Fees will be set annually as part of the council's fee resolution action each January.

From each licensing fee $1 will be given to the licensing veterinarian. The remaining fee amount, and any fines assessed for licensing violations and/or costs for abandoned or unclaimed animals will be used for animal control costs with any excess funds going to a possible future dog park.

Pet owners will receive a metal tag at the time of licensing with the dog tag to be affixed to the collar of the respective dog. Cat owners will, meanwhile, be required to show proof that the cat is licensed if a collar is not worn by the animal.

The current $25 fine for abandoned or running dogs will be applicable to unlicensed pets as will the current boarding costs of $10 per day for a large dog, $8 per day for a small dog, and $6 per day for cats.

The new licensing ordinance must come before the council for its second and third readings before approval.

If it is passed on its third reading, the licensing ordinance will become effective Jan. 1, 2009.