Waterloo approves overhaul of animal control rules

WATERLOO (AP) ? The Waterloo City Council has approved an overhaul of the city?s animal control regulations after several high-profile dog attacks last year.

The council unanimously approved the rules Monday, saying they would help the city deal with irresponsible pet owners and limit backyard breeding operations, according to the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier.

The regulations don?t single out a breed for enforcement.

They follow several attacks, including one last August by three dogs that left a woman with 200 bites. Those attacks primarily included dogs grouped together as pit bulls, though that term describes several breeds of dogs.

Under the new rules, some dog owners also can be required to meet certain requirements if their dogs have a disposition to bite or attack. That includes a $50 annual registration fee and proof of $300,000 in liability insurance.

People convicted of multiple animal control violations can be banned from owning more dogs.

Council member David Jones called the restrictions ?a step in the right direction,? but thought restrictions on backyard breeding should have been more stringent.

The rules require people to register with the city and pay a $50 fee before their dogs or cats can have litters. Owners of animals that haven?t been spayed or neutered also would pay higher annual licensing fees.

Resident Randy Herod said he?s troubled by part of the ordinance that allows animal control officers to enter private property to seize animals.

?I still maintain it?s unconstitutional the way it?s written,? he said.

But Assistant City Attorney David Zellhoefer said rules requiring search warrants for such action won?t change.

?We?re not going to send jack-booted thugs into everybody?s basement looking for pythons,? Zellhoefer said.