HomeMy WebLinkAboutA004 - Letter from Donna Rizzo opposing proposed ordinance SUM Duff Small Animal Clinic
1416 So.Duff Ave.
Ames,1A 50010
Phone 232-7204
Fax 239-5026
July 24, 1998
Mayor Tedesco and City Council Members
Ames City Hall
Ames,IA 50010
Dear Mayor Tedesco and City Council Members,
This letter is in regards to the proposed amendment to the animal control ordinance Sec. 3.126. 1 find it very
disturbing that the number of animals a citizen can own is being limited. First,allow me to introduce myself. I am a
veterinarian in Ames, self employed at the South Duff Small Animal Clinic. I am a charter member of The Friends of
The Ames Animal Shelter, and a previous and current member of the Ames Humane League. I was a resident of
Ames for twenty-seven years, employed in Ames for ten years,prior to becoming a business owner of nine years. I
currently own five dogs and four cats. I would definitely consider myself an animal advocate. I honestly believe that
Ames has one of the strongest and most respectable Animal Control departments around,thanks to Lorna and her
dedicated staff. I have enjoyed working with Lorna and her staff on several projects, and will continue to do so in the
future,but I cannot support this new permitting system.
It was only a few months ago that a public meeting was held concerning a proposed limit of numbers. The fears of
those in attendance were alleviated by the statement that animal control was not trying to limit numbers,only give
themselves a better way to respond to disturbances. Furthermore,we were told if numbers were addressed they
would deal with"collections"of animals and the numbers of 15-20 or more were mentioned. I even recall leaving
the meeting feeling silly that I had overreacted to the heresay of limits on numbers. And yet,in the proposed
ordinance not only do numbers appear, it even contains a single digit number. I cannot say I oppose these numbers
specifically, although I believe they are rather arbitrary. I oppose number restrictions of any kind.
I realize that neighbors can get very frustrated with nuisance animals. I recently attended a neighborhood meeting
where this was just the case. What needs to be understood is that the animals are NOT the problem. It is the people
in control of those animals. An irresponsible or inconsiderate animal owner will be a nuisance with one or a dozen
animals. As I talk with Loma, she mentions that the city wishes to be proactive and that is why the limits have been
addressed. Isn't this similar to saying that a multiple animal owner is guilty until proven innocent? I personally
know of many owners that are pushing the higher limit,and have never been an issue to animal control. Is it fair to
require these people to jump through hoops because of a few bad apples? After all,aren't our laws set to protect the
innocent, and not"control"them, especially inside their own homes. As I have mentioned to Lorna,I would be
interested to see a retrospective study on the number of nuisance complaints involving four or more animals vs.
those of two or less. I believe this would further stress that addressing the number issue will not give us the relief
we need for nuisance cases.
I am fortunate to only rarely have to deal with people that cause the problems that Lorna and her staff are working so
diligently to control. I realize how busy they are and their need for an ordinance with more bite. (no pun intended)I
do not see how adding more work in the form of required permits and inspections will ease their load. As someone
who believes you have no right to complain unless you can suggest a solution, I have once again joined the Ames
Humane League to attempt just this. The League has proposed and the Staff supports the amendment 3.124 which
allows a stronger response to animal owners with repeat offenses. I honestly believe this amendment of the
ordinance to contain"three strikes and the fourth you are out" will correct these repeat offenders that frustrate their
neighbors. Enforcement of this amendment along with the existing ordinances is the key to controlling nuisance
cases,and will make addressing the issue of numbers unnecessary.
I appreciate the difficulty of your task,and thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I hope that after
evaluating all the information available,you will also appreciate that animal numbers do not need to be addressed.
Please do not pass the amendment labeled Sec. 3.126.Numerous Animals on Premises. I would be happy to visit
further with you on this issue,please feel free to contact me at W-232-7204,or at H--597-3538.
Sincerely,
�A��
Donna M.Rizzo,DVM