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In a week, the Independence City Council will hear the first reading of an ordinance that would amend the city’s current animal control code.
At a presentation Monday night to the City Council, Larry Jones, the city’s health director, reported overwhelming support for the change came at a public hearing last week. The change would allow up to four pets of any kind in a home.
Currently, the code stipulates a kennel license is needed to keep in the home more than two dogs or two cats over the age of six months.
“There were 45 people in attendance at the meeting,” Jones told the council. “Of those attending, 40 indicated they were in favor of the change, four opposed the change and one indicated they were neutral.”
Jones said the Advisory Board of Health’s public hearing showed those in favor of the change argued in part that the number of pets wasn’t the problem; irresponsible pet owners were. Supporters also hinted that the current ordinance has put undue burden on the animal control staff when staff has had to remove an animal from a home to a shelter where more than likely the animal would be euthanized.
Next Monday, the council will allow 10 speakers – five people representing each side. Council Member Will Swoffer made the suggestion and the council approved the motion. After the public hearing, the new ordinance will be read for the first time, with a second reading and vote Aug. 4.
Although she said she would not speak at next week’s public hearing, Independence resident Sharon Sharp told The Examiner the city is treading dangerous ground upping the limits on allowable pets, specifically dogs. Sharp said she is bitterly opposed to the change.
“Who are you going to call when you have four dogs living next door to you?” Sharp wondered. “Can you imagine living next door to people with four dogs? How are you going to get help or get people from the city to come out when the dogs are barking? We are going to have a big problem.”
Sharp said her current neighbor has more than one dog now and the dogs readily use her back yard to relieve themselves. An owner of a small poodle, Sharp said she is not against dogs but against people with dogs being disrespectful of others.
“I love my dog,” Sharp said, “but I don’t expect other people to love my dog. I think there needs to be more input to the things that are wrong with this (change).”
City Manager Robert Heacock reminded the council that the city has had experience dealing with a sensitive subject such has pet ownership. He said he trusted the council would make an informed decision and vote accordingly.
“A couple of years ago, we had a discussion on dangerous dogs,” Heacock said of the ban of pit bulls in the city. “We realize the dangerous impact that (dogs) can have.”
In a week, the Independence City Council will hear the first reading of an ordinance that would amend the city’s current animal control code.
At a presentation Monday night to the City Council, Larry Jones, the city’s health director, reported overwhelming support for the change came at a public hearing last week. The change would allow up to four pets of any kind in a home.
Currently, the code stipulates a kennel license is needed to keep in the home more than two dogs or two cats over the age of six months.
“There were 45 people in attendance at the meeting,” Jones told the council. “Of those attending, 40 indicated they were in favor of the change, four opposed the change and one indicated they were neutral.”
Jones said the Advisory Board of Health’s public hearing showed those in favor of the change argued in part that the number of pets wasn’t the problem; irresponsible pet owners were. Supporters also hinted that the current ordinance has put undue burden on the animal control staff when staff has had to remove an animal from a home to a shelter where more than likely the animal would be euthanized.
Next Monday, the council will allow 10 speakers – five people representing each side. Council Member Will Swoffer made the suggestion and the council approved the motion. After the public hearing, the new ordinance will be read for the first time, with a second reading and vote Aug. 4.
Although she said she would not speak at next week’s public hearing, Independence resident Sharon Sharp told The Examiner the city is treading dangerous ground upping the limits on allowable pets, specifically dogs. Sharp said she is bitterly opposed to the change.
“Who are you going to call when you have four dogs living next door to you?” Sharp wondered. “Can you imagine living next door to people with four dogs? How are you going to get help or get people from the city to come out when the dogs are barking? We are going to have a big problem.”
Sharp said her current neighbor has more than one dog now and the dogs readily use her back yard to relieve themselves. An owner of a small poodle, Sharp said she is not against dogs but against people with dogs being disrespectful of others.
“I love my dog,” Sharp said, “but I don’t expect other people to love my dog. I think there needs to be more input to the things that are wrong with this (change).”
City Manager Robert Heacock reminded the council that the city has had experience dealing with a sensitive subject such has pet ownership. He said he trusted the council would make an informed decision and vote accordingly.
“A couple of years ago, we had a discussion on dangerous dogs,” Heacock said of the ban of pit bulls in the city. “We realize the dangerous impact that (dogs) can have.”
