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Friday, 04 July 2008 |
By MARY BARGDILL
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — During a June 30 St. Marys Safety Committee meeting, committee members looked at options for updating the city's ordinance regarding dangerous dogs and dogs running-at-large.
City Law Director Kraig Noble briefed committee members on the options. During the meeting, two of the three committee members on the St. Marys Safety Committee said they believed the current legislation was sufficient.
"Right now I don't see us adopting a lease law based on the committee's decision,
Noble said. "The only thing we'll be doing here is changing the penalty procedure for dogs running at large."
On the heels of that meeting, some St. Marys residents gave their opinion on whether or not the city should have an all encompassing leash law for dogs.
Currently, dog owners within city limits are expected to maintain reasonable control over their dogs. They are not required to keep a leash on the animal except while walking in a city park or if the pet is a female dog in heat.
"I didn't know it was only for in parks at this time," St. Marys resident Chris Ewry said. "I think it would be a good idea to keep them on leashes when walking them because some small children are intimidated by them. But I think most people already do anyway."
St. Marys resident Michael Cvetanovich also feels dogs should be kept on a leash at all times.
"I would say just for safety sake, they should. I love dogs, but animals are unpredictable," Cvetanovich said.
Reasonable control refers to a dog following its owner's orders, Noble said.
"It could be verbal orders, shock collar (or) visual signs that the dog will obey its master," he said. "A lot of it is common sense."
Noble said the discussion of possibly requiring dog owners to keep their pets on a leash at all times was new.
"It just came up the other night," he said. "The focus up until this time has been on the dangerous dogs."
Noble said it was common for law enforcement officials to receive a call that a dog has been found running the streets when the owner was not in sight.
"We probably pick up over 200 dogs a year," St. Marys Police Chief Greg Foxhoven said.
Foxhoven said if an officer is unable to identify a dog, it is transported to one of two small kennels located at the city's light distribution facility on East Spring Street.
"They're there short term because we only have two small kennels," Foxhoven said. "We're really limited."
Once a dog is picked up, the officer will call a dispatcher to see if anyone's called about a missing dog. During inclement weather, a small house dog or puppy will be kept in a holding cell until the owner claims it.
"From the criminal point of view that's never been an issue," Noble said. "A lot of times the defense is we had him (the dog) at home and he snuck out."
Noble said officials were considering charging pet owners with a fee to get their dogs back, rather than making it a criminal offense. A first offense would be $50, with following offenses reaching up to $150.
"I think a town the size of St. Marys, I think we're fairly typical," Noble said. "We've had this dog running at large law that's been on the books a very very long time. I think it is very similar to what most towns (our size) have."
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 09 July 2008 )
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