A pair of controversial votes expected
to take place at Monday's Snyder City
Council meeting did not come to pass
as the second reading of a proposed pet
ordinance and a resolution regarding the
Brownfield Building were both tabled.
Six residents addressed the council about the proposed pet ordinance, which would have required households with more than four cats or dogs to obtain a multi-pet permit. The complaints ranged from the ordinance being unnecessary because health and safety concerns are covered by existing ordinances to pet limit laws being intrusive.
Emma Essery, who owns three dogs and three cats -- all of which she said were spayed or neutered -- told the council that she felt the city was targeting pet owners that do take care of their animals.
"There is little justification for targeting well-cared for animals for impoundment and euthanization," she said.
Bill Clingenpeel, who owns 15 dogs, some of which have not been spayed or neutered, said it was a matter of the pet owner's happiness, which he said was one of the principals around which the Founding Fathers built the nation. He also expressed concern over how future council members and animal control officers would interpret the proposed ordinance.
He pointed out that the ordinance, as it was presented, does not offer any information about what would happen to the animals if an owner was found in violation of the law.
"There's nothing in the ordinance that says the animals would be impounded," he said.
Councilman Duane Summers said he was concerned that multiple complaints could lead to a multi-pet license being revoked.
He added that the ordinance needs a provision for nuisance calls.
Councilman Bill Harris said the ordinance needs to address what happens to the animals if an owner is found in violation, what would happen if the pet was impounded, who would pay for its care and how long the city would hold it.
"There are responsible pet owners here and that's not what this is about," said Snyder Police Chief Terry Luecke. "That's why we added the multi-pet permit. But we made a call last week and there were 17 dogs in the house."
The council tabled the proposed ordinance until the city staff can gather more information.
To read about other action in the city council meeting, click here.
Six residents addressed the council about the proposed pet ordinance, which would have required households with more than four cats or dogs to obtain a multi-pet permit. The complaints ranged from the ordinance being unnecessary because health and safety concerns are covered by existing ordinances to pet limit laws being intrusive.
Emma Essery, who owns three dogs and three cats -- all of which she said were spayed or neutered -- told the council that she felt the city was targeting pet owners that do take care of their animals.
"There is little justification for targeting well-cared for animals for impoundment and euthanization," she said.
Bill Clingenpeel, who owns 15 dogs, some of which have not been spayed or neutered, said it was a matter of the pet owner's happiness, which he said was one of the principals around which the Founding Fathers built the nation. He also expressed concern over how future council members and animal control officers would interpret the proposed ordinance.
He pointed out that the ordinance, as it was presented, does not offer any information about what would happen to the animals if an owner was found in violation of the law.
"There's nothing in the ordinance that says the animals would be impounded," he said.
Councilman Duane Summers said he was concerned that multiple complaints could lead to a multi-pet license being revoked.
He added that the ordinance needs a provision for nuisance calls.
Councilman Bill Harris said the ordinance needs to address what happens to the animals if an owner is found in violation, what would happen if the pet was impounded, who would pay for its care and how long the city would hold it.
"There are responsible pet owners here and that's not what this is about," said Snyder Police Chief Terry Luecke. "That's why we added the multi-pet permit. But we made a call last week and there were 17 dogs in the house."
The council tabled the proposed ordinance until the city staff can gather more information.
To read about other action in the city council meeting, click here.
