HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated February 5, 1991 l
ITEM
DATE _
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: Changes to Chapter III - Animals
BACKGROUND:
The staff would like to make changes to three of the ordinances
relating to animals. The first is to Section 3 . 106 . The word
"reasonable notice" would replace personal notice. The existing
language "publication of notice" will be deleted. The remaining
language in 3 . 106 will be the same. These two changes are necessary to
enhance consistency in reuniting unclaimed animals with their owners.
At present we are publishing free of charge a listing six days a week
in the Ames Daily Tribune to inform the public to call local shelters
when seeking a lost pet. The same listing appears in the Ames
Advertiser each Wednesday, free of charge. This service will continue
to be provided. There is concern that the existing ordinance language
may be interpreted that it is soley the City of Ames ' responsibility to
reunite animals with known and even unknown owners.
The second section to be amended is 3 . 115( 2 ) , deleting the word
"habitual. " The remaining language in 3 . 115 ( 2 ) will stay the same.
The local Associate Court Judge has said that "habitual" is too
specific. Existing language without "habitual" will still accomplish
the intent of this section.
The third area is 3 . 116 . The addition of "or tethered to" would
prevent animals being tied to vehicles when heat stroke is a danger.
There have been reports of incidents in the past of dogs tied to parked
vehicles in public parking lots. The wording "or tethered to" would
prevent this occurrence. The remaining language in 3 . 116 would be the
same.
The fourth area of change would be in 3 . 118. The addition of wording
is as follows: "No animal shall be transported in the open bed of a
pickup truck, except when the animal is secured inside a cage or kennel
or is secured by a leash or tether sufficiently short to keep the
animal inside the pickup box at all times." The intent of this
wording is to prevent animals being transported openly and improperly
restrained in the back of pickup trucks. Animals transported in this
manner are at risk of injury. There is concern that other motorists
may be at risk also. The remaining wording in 3 . 118 would stay the
same.
ALTERNATIVES:
1 . Pass the recommended changes to Section III of the Municipal Code.
2 . Do not pass the recommended changes to Section III of the Muncipal
Code.
MANAGER' S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is the City Manager ' s Recommendation that the City Council adopt
alternative #1 and pass the recommended changes to Section III of the
Municipal Code.
COUNCIL ACTION•