Web posted
Monday, October 6, 2008
Ordinance would require animal license
By FOSS FARRAR
Traveler Staff Writer
reporter@arkcity.net
Pet owners would be required to get a license for their dogs and cats if the City Commission adopts a proposed ordinance at its regular meeting Tuesday night. The public meeting will be at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
The ordinance would require that dog and cat owners register their animals with the city and attach a collar with the registration tag.
The main reason for the ordinance is to ensure public safety, city officials said today. It would require that pet owners have their animals vaccinated annually for rabies. It would also help identify animals that are lost and control dogs that are running loose.
"The City Commission initiated this ordinance," said City Manager Steve Archer. "Citizens had expressed concern that a number of dogs were running loose and possibly had no vaccinations, and there was no way to control them. This ordinance would make it easier."
An ordinance requiring annual rabies vaccinations already exists, but the licensing ordinance would be new, although the city had one previously, Archer said.
Owners of dogs and cats over 6 months old would have up to a year to get their dogs and cats licensed, City Attorney Tamara Niles said. A $5 fee would be charged for owners of animals that had been spayed or neutered. The fee for each unspayed or neutered pet would be $10.
"This ordinance also encourages people to comply with the required three-dog limit," Niles said.
The ordinance would benefit owners whose pets run away and are found by animal control officials, she said.
"It provides a venue to allow the city officer to identify the dog," she said. "The dog's name and owner would be identified by the tag."
Archer said about 15 to 20 years ago the city had a licensing ordinance but it was discontinued. He said he didn't know why; he wasn't here then.
City Clerk Lesley Shook said she researched many cities of similar size to Arkansas City and found that most of them had pet licensing ordinances.
"Our intent is not to burden people with fees, but mostly to help ensure the dogs get their rabies vaccinations," she said. "That's why our fees are so low."
In other matters Commissioners are expected to:
* Receive presentation from Winfield Mayor Mike Ledy and Assistant City Manager Gary Mangus.
* Proclaim October 2008 as Spinal Health Month in Arkansas City.
* Review bids and award contract for Chestnut Avenue underpass paving project.
* Consider ordinance amending Chapter 5.08.070 of the Municipal Code clarifying definitions of Contractor and Business licenses.
* Consider ordinance adopting electric franchise with Westar Energy.
* Consider ordinances levying various special assessments for code enforcement activities including weed mowing, junk vehicles, debris removal, and replacement of sidewalks.
* Consider Mayor's appointments to City Boards.
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