by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
In the two weeks since City Council member Jerry Holland introduced an updated animal control ordinance, he’s entertained a laundry list of suggestions and concerns from the community.
Following Holland’s third and final bill review meeting Wednesday, he said an amended draft will be prepared and offered “right away.”
“We’re definitely getting close to the final bill,” said Holland. “This is a sensitive issue for a lot of people and I think we’ve done a good job of reaching a majority of the concerns out there and letting everyone give their two cents. I think we’ve reached a balance and now it’s time to put it out there and, hopefully, get it passed.”
Holland said “nothing major” would change between now and the next committee meeting, though certain components of the bill, including fines for various first offenses — $250 for habitual nuisances, for instance — will likely be lowered.
Holland also agreed to alter animal “breeder” and “dealer” definitions.
According to the current draft, an “occasional seller” is defined as any person who randomly sells or donates no more than 20 animals or two litters in a calender year. A substituted ordinance, to exempt those sellers from a litany of regulations, will raise those numbers to 40 animals or four litters.
“Again, it would be extremely difficult to draft an ordinance that everyone would feel completely comfortable with,” said Holland. “We could go back and change a word or two for as long as we wanted. And from what I understand, the people that I’ve spoken with would like to see this passed and not fall by the wayside like other attempts have in the past.”