The council approved the first reading of an ordinance that would add provisions to the city laws pertaining to dangerous dogs with little discussion during its meeting Tuesday night. Council members Melvin Rich and Terry Spain were absent from the meeting. There were no dissenting votes.
"There has to be three readings," City Clerk Linda Burger told the council. "We want to give people plenty of time to give input."
The provisions will amend the city requirement of having a pen to house breeds of dogs the code defines as dangerous in the case of "house dogs." Burger said one resident has approached the city to waive the pen requirement on his Doberman, which he says he keeps inside his house at all times.
According to the amendment, a dog normally kept inside a residence would not be required to stay in a pen. In cases when the dog goes outside, the requirement would be to have a leash on the animal and to have someone there at all times. The amendment also stipulates when the dog is taken for a walk, it has a leash on and is muzzled. The amendment will also require the owner to display "beware of dog" signs on his property.
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