Animal Ordinance Heads Back To Drawing Board, City Wants Citizen Input
By: Katie Thompson
Updated: March 26, 2012
"We got a lot of comments and I guess a lot more controversy than was anticipated and so when that happens often times we have to take a step back," Said Abilene's Planning and Zoning Director Jon James.
A step back to the drawing board, after city council ultimately decided to remove a proposed animal ordinance from their agenda last week.
"This was considered a work in progress, and we had intended to present it to the city council. They heard from enough different people about different issues that they felt that they weren't ready to take it on," Says James.
Among other things, the lengthy proposal limits the amount of animals you can have based on the size of your property, it also increases the fee for unsterilized animals, adds restrictions for rooster ownership, and adds new classifications for aggressive and dangerous dogs.
"It's to ensure that animal owners are being responsible and that their ownership of an animal doesn't negatively affect their neighbors," Says James.
But, James also says, most people already do follow the rules.
So why the need for new ones?
"We get a lot of complaints on some things, that we just have to tell them 'I'm sorry that's not a violation of any rules. This is to add restrictions where we don't already have them," James Said.
For now, there is no time line as to when this proposal will make it's way back to council. However, James says he is open to all public input on what resident's feel should or shouldn't be part of it...as long as that input is constructive.
"Rather than saying, hey we think it's too restrictive, specifics would be better, what is too restrictive about it, what kinds of things would you as a citizen like to see to make it better," Said James
Proposed Animal Ordinance
Planning and Development Services Website
A step back to the drawing board, after city council ultimately decided to remove a proposed animal ordinance from their agenda last week.
"This was considered a work in progress, and we had intended to present it to the city council. They heard from enough different people about different issues that they felt that they weren't ready to take it on," Says James.
Among other things, the lengthy proposal limits the amount of animals you can have based on the size of your property, it also increases the fee for unsterilized animals, adds restrictions for rooster ownership, and adds new classifications for aggressive and dangerous dogs.
"It's to ensure that animal owners are being responsible and that their ownership of an animal doesn't negatively affect their neighbors," Says James.
But, James also says, most people already do follow the rules.
So why the need for new ones?
"We get a lot of complaints on some things, that we just have to tell them 'I'm sorry that's not a violation of any rules. This is to add restrictions where we don't already have them," James Said.
For now, there is no time line as to when this proposal will make it's way back to council. However, James says he is open to all public input on what resident's feel should or shouldn't be part of it...as long as that input is constructive.
"Rather than saying, hey we think it's too restrictive, specifics would be better, what is too restrictive about it, what kinds of things would you as a citizen like to see to make it better," Said James
Proposed Animal Ordinance
Planning and Development Services Website
