Council talks leash law

The Washington City Council has discussed revising its ordinance on animal control so that it clearly states when pet owners need to put their animals on leashes. The council met Wednesday and talked about how to balance the rights of pet owners with the safety of the community.

The council charges a dog owner $10 for the first offense of letting a dog run at large. City Administrator Brent Hinson told the council this fine does not recoup the costs to the city of sending a person out to catch the dog. Councilor Bob Shepherd said animal control should be a service the city provides and that pet owners should not be charged the full cost of the service. Shepherd said Washington?s charges were higher than Coralville?s.

Shepherd said the city should more strictly enforce its ordinance against letting dogs run unattended.

?We need to hand out tickets,? he said. ?The owners can?t let their dogs run around at night until they scratch on the door and want back in.?

The council talked about whether the ?second offense? for letting a dog run at large should refer to the second time that particular dog has run at large or to the second time the owner has allowed any dog to run at large. The council came to a consensus that the ordinance should stipulate that ?second offense? refers to the owner?s second offense and not the dog?s second offense.

City Attorney Craig Arbuckle was asked how an owner would be charged if he let two dogs run at large at once. He said the owner would be charged with a first and second offense since the two dogs represent two separate offenses.

Councilor Russ Zieglowsky said he plays with his dogs outside on his property and that the dogs are not on leashes. He recommended that an owner be required to put a dog on a leash if he takes the dog off his property for a walk, but not if the dog remains on his property. Hinson said he knows of some cities whose leash-laws are so strict they do not let dogs to be outside at all without a leash.

The city is not responsible for quarantining animals that are believed to be dangerous. Jason Whisler, who handles animal control for the city, said some residents believe the city is responsible for that. City Administrator Brent Hinson said residents can quarantine a dog in their house if the dog has a rabies vaccine. If the dog does not have a rabies vaccine, the dog may not be quarantined in the owner?s home.

Hinson will take the councilors? suggestions and modify the existing animal control ordinance accordingly. The ordinance will be presented at the next city council meeting. Ordinances require three readings before passage.