Vicious animal ordinance discussed
by Samantha Heerdt - Staff Writer
POSTED: June 12, 2008
SPIRIT LAKE β Discussion of the vicious animal ordinance was the main topic of the afternoon at the Spirit Lake City Council meeting.
Councilmembers discussed whether they would like to see control of the animals, which includes having the animal leashed, muzzled, confined and insured, rather than having the animals banned.
Dr. Ross Dirks of the Dickinson County Animal Clinic, P.C. gave his opinion. βPit bulls can be more dangerous because of their capability to do greater harm than other dogs. I have seen lots that are good family pets though.β His overall opinion is that the breed of the dog is arbitrary.
Councilmember Clyde Ihrke agreed with Dirks. Animals that are deemed vicious can also be raised properly and make excellent family pets.
The current ordinance makes it illegal to own a pit bull or any other wild animal.
Councilmember Ihrke motioned for City Attorney Earl Maahs to draft an ordinance for animal control, rather than a ban. The motion was carried unanimously.
The council also discussed capital funding projects. The projects include resurfacing the library parking lot, which will also increase the number of parking spots, repairing 17th Street, drainage projects, the police department entryway, Center Lake lighting, and other miscellaneous paving and sidewalks.
In other news, the council:
n Adopted the contract for the 2008 Lighting Improvements Project.
n Approved the change order number one and accepted the Spirit Lake residential lighting project.
n Authorized the submission of application for state revolving loan funds for the water treatment plant expansion project.
n Set the date for a meeting on the authorization of a loan and disbursement agreement for the water treatment plant expansion project.
n Adopted the resolution to annex the Duval Development property south of 28th Avenue to the City of Spirit Lake.
n Approved the agreement with the City of Orleans for street maintenance services.
n Approved the agreement with Dickinson County for street maintenance services.
Member Comments
View Comments: | 1-2 | Post a comment
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etbmfa
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06-12-08 4:24 PM
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Irresponsible canine ownership can only be prevented by addressing the problem directly: define the problem, define the penalty or penalties, and enforce the laws. Most urban jurisdictions have laws on the books now that, if enforced, would eliminate most dog aggression disasters. The best defense against dangerous dogs is a strongly enforced LEASH LAW - not outlawing a breed. The outlaws will simply ruin another breed
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etbmfa
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06-12-08 4:23 PM
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Our laws should identify illegal activities and define the penalties associated with breaches of the law. Domesticated canines are considered personal property and present problems in society only when owned or tossed out by irresponsible people. Our laws should address irresponsible canine ownership and should never refer to specific breeds. Breed specific legislation is an intolerable form of discrimination that has many undesirable far reaching consequences, including economic ones. Breed specific legislation is expensive and difficult to enforce; impacts people who both live in and visit jurisdictions; impacts vets, breeders, dog food manufacturers, and, in many cases, canine divisions of various law enforcement agencies. To make matters worse, canine racial profiling (breed specific legislation) is a total waste of time and money, as it will not turn irresponsible owners and breeders into responsible owners and breeders. Irresponsible canine ownership can only be prevented by ad
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