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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/07/2013 Council Work Session October 7, 2013 Time as indicated below Council Chambers Roll Call. Approval of Agenda, as proposed or amended. 4:45 p.m. Animal Control Update—Submitted by Sandie Greco, Traffic Operations Superintendent ADJOURNMENT Carol Nemmers Deputy City Clerk CITY OF WATERLOO Council Communication City Council Meeting: October 7, 2013 Prepared: October 1, 2013 - r { Department Head Signature: `t, r./// 1 # of Attachments: SUBJECT: Council Work Session — Animal Control Update Submitted by: Sandie Greco, Traffic Operations Superintendent Recommended City Council Action: Summary Statement Updating the Mayor and Council on Discussion of Animal Control Ordinance Change Expenditure Required: Source of Funds: Policy Issue Alternative Background Information: ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE UPDATE I . Dangerous Dogs and Vicious Dogs a. Dangerous — generally those that have bitten or attacked a person or animal at least once and may have caused non-serious injuries, have a propensity or disposition to attack, are trained for dog/animal fighting, or are trained to attack humans on command. Attacks/bites are without provocation. b. Vicious dogs are ones that have inflicted serious injury or death on people or animals or have killed a domestic animal without provocation. (exceptions — activity that occurs on the owner's property, is provoked, defense against attack on the owner of defending itself or its young for a few examples) II. Non-specific Breed a. Dogs need to be regulated and bad ones need to be targeted. Our target is to hold owner accountable. b. Tethering — (restrict the amount of time or conditions under which dogs can he tethered) limits for how long tether will be allowed — and for limit of time dogs can be tethered in yard - prohibit log chains c. All dogs brought to City facility will be micro chipped before leaving (cost passed onto to owner if owner redeems) d. All dogs brought into City facility must be spayed/neutered within 30 days. Owner will sign a 30 day contract with the city. Owner must have vet appointment and city will verify before dog is redeemed. If owner does not comply — dog will be taken from owner and $750.00 citation will be issued. If owner refuses to redeem dog — costs for altering will be assessed to owner. Citation will still be issued for offense. e. If animal is treated in city facility — all medical expenses will be charged back to owner — plus other fees. All expenses will be paid at time of redemption of animal. f. Warnings and fines will not "start over" each year — they will continue to increase for each violation by the same owner — need not be same address or dog. g. Looking at defining nuisance calls — owners should be fined. h. A veterinarian or trained dog behaviorist will determine whether dog should be euthanized after unprovoked attack. As specialists - they will determine if occurrence is a malicious/vicious attack. i. In a case where owner does not produce animal — the owner be arrested for interference and fined — owner must be held accountable for animal. j. If dog attacks, AC managers determine if citation is issued. k. Unpaid fines can uphold renewing driver's license and/or registration. I. "One strike and you are out" a vicious attack at large (bites person or animal) — dog is gone — euthanized (sent to Ames for testing — state law if dog is not quarantined) Owner fined $750 plus costs for testing. This would be the first offense — any after would be increased by $1 ,000.00. m. Right to seize litters of puppies and fine owner $750.00 ! under certain circumstances)— if not registered with state for breeder's (kennel) license. Owner's property would need to be zoned according to city ordinance. n. In the event the owner of the dog does not reside where the dog is staying — whoever the property owner is/or person on lease will be held legally responsible for any act committed by the dog — both owner of the dog and the resident will be fined. (landlord can be fined also) o. Grant landlords the right to have dogs removed ASAP from residence. if dog has been determined dangerous/owner loses the right to possess a don) P. If ordinances are not complied with — AC officer has the right to remove animals from residence and fine owner $750.00 for 1st offense — with each occurring offense $1 ,000.00. q. Basic obedience training for dogs and owners shall be required if dog is declared potentially dangerous at owner's expense within 90 days after determination. r. It shall be unlawful for any person to bring any animal into the city, which has, in another jurisdiction been judicially determined to be a dangerous, potentially dangerous, vicious, a nuisance, or a threat to the health or safety of human beings. Additional ideas: Keep stressing the $300,000 liability insurance issue — with landlords carrying the same. Taking away the rights of animal owners to have or own an animal in the city limits of Waterloo. Owner found guilty of owning a vicious/dangerous dog that has tacked will no longer be allowed to own a dog in the city limits (including household they reside) Owner could be designated as a "irresponsible animal owner" (possible time limit on this restriction under certain circumstances) It has been show that cities that banned any type of dog still had the same problems with the owners and their new kind of dog. They just go and get another one. One of our goals is to target the right problem — which is the owner. We are aggressively reviewing the potentially and dangerous dog ordinance.