Bryant objected to parts of the ordinance stating that outside dog pens must be cleaned every day, dogs can only be tethered from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and must be indoors if the outside temperature is below 32 degrees, as she thought that was “too specific.”
Other council members agreed, noting there are dogs that are comfortable outside even if it colder than 32 degrees.
“I’ve had more phone calls than anything else that’s been across the table,” Bryant said. “While there might need to be some control, we’re still a small town.” Removing certain parts from an ordinance is more difficult than adding them, added Bryant.
City Council member Manuel Brown noted there are people who come home from work at 11 p.m. or later, and asking if they would be required to clean it before going to bed. “I think it should be kept clean … and it shouldn’t have a bad odor,” but cleaning a dog pen every day is unnecessary, said Brown.
The proposed ordinance allows for animal control regulations, fines for owners that don’t comply with those regulations. It also allows members of chapters of the Humane Society or the SPCA to euthanize animals that are abandoned and suffering with approval by a veterinarian or two citizens.
The ordinance states that owners are not allowed to let their animals run freely on any public road. Additionally, owners that let their animals run freely in violation of the regulations are liable for damages caused by the animal on someone else’s property.
The ordinance also sets limitations on tethering an animal and allows citizens to file complaints on animals that cause noise disturbances. Owners that violate any of the regulations can be fined up to $500.
Earlier in the meeting, Cadiz resident Stan Sumners said as a dog owner, he wanted to know what the ordinance entailed. “My issue was, what I’ve been told was, you can’t have a dog on a chain or a cable … and if [the dog] gets out of hand you can be fined for it,” he said.
Council member Frankie Phillips said it was possible the council could look at the old ordinance. Cadiz Mayor Lyn Bailey said the old ordinance had some strict standards.
A revised form of the ordinance will probably come up for discussion at the next city council meeting.
In other actions, the council unanimously agreed, with little debate, to set aside $102,000 towards the installation of sewer and water lines to the location of the new Trigg County Senior Center, to be built on Noel Road.
Additionally, the council decided that new council members that were elected in the Tuesday, Nov. 4, election, will be sworn in before the next city council meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
