The Health Department presented proposed updates to the City’s Animal Ordinance at Monday’s City Council meeting. The goal of the proposed revisions is to:
- Enhance public safety
- Set clearer rules and guidelines for pet ownership
- Further promote well-being of both animals and humans
- Provide adequate legal authority for enforcement actions
- Align with comparable neighboring cities and current best practices
Potential revisions include:
- Changing the time stray animals are held before they can be adopted or rescued
- Transition from a yearly pet registration fee to a one-time lifetime microchipping fee
- Enhancing the way complaints about noisy animals are made
- Creating an ordinance regarding the inhumane treatment of animals
- Placing a limit on the number of chickens that can be legally kept in a backyard
No decision was made on any of the proposals. Council feedback from Monday’s meeting will be incorporated into the new ordinance for the Council to consider at a future date.
Council Presentation: Video
