Council sees proposed changes to dog ordinance

Sterling will probably have a leash law soon.

City Attorney Matthew Richardson unveiled proposed sweeping changes to the city’s animal ordinance during the City Council’s regular meeting Tuesday evening. Chief among them is that dogs not inside their yards must be “controlled by a leash, chain or cord held by the dog’s owner or keeper when outside of their residence or property.”

The ordinance retains an exception in the event a dog is protecting its owner, property or family.

The proposed ordinance also deletes the city’s responsibility in case a pet owner decides to surrender the dog. Previously, the city took ownership of dogs surrendered to what was then the “dog pound,” and that remained true when animal control duties were assumed by the Logan County Humane Society. Richardson said pet owners still can surrender their pets to the Humane Society, but the city won’t be involved.

The ordinance also stiffens requirements for dog vaccinations. At-large dogs cannot be released back to their owners unless proof of rabies vaccination is shown. The ordinance continues to require that rabies vaccination tags must be attached to a collar on the dog at all times, but deletes a requirement that persons giving the vaccinations forward records of inoculations to the city.

One provision that does not appear in the proposed ordinance is a requirement to register the dogs with the city. Although it had been suggested previously, discussion by council members indicated they thought it was an unnecessary bureaucratic addition to city administration.

There was some public input during the explanation of the ordinance, but no significant changes were suggested. One citizen congratulated the council and administration on the transparency of the process.

A second reading and possible adoption is scheduled for the council’s March 26 meeting, which would meet the 30-day deadline promised to the council.

During public comments to the council, Lee Roth asked whether homeless persons looking for access to local resources could go to the Sterling Fire Department rather than the Police Department. Roth said many of the homeless have an aversion to dealing with police, but would be comfortable dealing with firefighters.