2010.12.06 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for December 6, 2010 Page 7 of 9 Public Hearing on Proposed Revisions to City's Animal Ordinance At its November 1, 2010, the Hugo City Council listened to a presentation by Community Development Assistant Dennis Fields on the proposed revision to the City's Animal Ordinance, which has been reviewed and revised by the Ordinance Review Committee over the past several months. After a short discussion the Council directed staff to schedule a public hearing at which the public will be invited to provide comment on the proposed revisions to the Animal Ordinance. Council also directed Staff to work with Council Member Haas to address any further concerns on the proposed ordinance revisions. Community Development Assistant Dennis Fields presented the revised draft ordinance, and Mayor Miron opened the public hearing. Geraldine Reimer, 14125 Irish Avenue North; and her sons Kerry Reimer, 14165 Irish Avenue North; and Karl Reimer, 14980 Keystone Avenue North, attended the meeting and spoke at the public hearing. The Reimers explained they are very involved in raising dogs and talked about the many organizations they belong to. The Reimers generally had questions on hobby kennels, and expressed concerns about the definition of potentially dangerous dogs, restrictions on farm/rural dogs, and the provision in the ordinance which allows a dog to be seized and impounded by the animal control authority. Veterinarian Camille McArkle, Network Dean of Veterinary Technology for Globe University, indicated she has issues with the search and seizure power of the animal control authority, which could be subjective, nor is there anything in the ordinance about a reasonable attempt to contact the owner. Dr. McArkle also said she like the provision that dogs did not have to wear identification and rabies vaccination tags if they were micro chipped, and she talked about how a dog could not positively be proven rabid unless the dog was euthanized. She suggested dogs should be examined for any clinical signs consistent of rabies, and if a dog were euthanized due to possible rabies, it should be sent to the Minnesota State Veterinary Diagnostic lab for testing. Debra Barnes, speaking as a former Councilmember who was involved in the last revision to the animal ordinance in the 1990's, recalled omitting the provision allowing entrance onto private property for the purpose of seizing a dog. Debra wondered if there was any case law on that issue. The Reimers and Veterinarian Camille McArkle offered to provide assistance to the City in drafting the revisions to the Animal Ordinance. The Council discussed the issues presented at the public hearing as well as whether a violation of the ordinance should be considered a misdemeanor, and whether to eliminate the requirement of dog licensing all together.