Proposed changes to Jefferson City's ordinance on housing animals - mainly dogs - outside have been forwarded to the full City Council for possible approval.
At Thursday's meeting of the City Council's Public Safety Committee, Capt. Eric Wilde, head of the police department's support services division, said they wanted these changes approved as fast as possible due to winter weather conditions.
The city's animal shelter advisory committee and local animal doctors have gone over the recommendations.
The changes include:
• The dog must have access to the owner's home through a dog door during all time spent outside, or the dog must be under the supervision of a person who can allow the dog access to the owner's home during all time spent outside.
• A structure must be provided for shelter and protection that is suitable for the breed, age, condition, size and type of dog.
• The director or senior animal control officers shall impound and place in the animal shelter any animal in danger of a life-threatening health condition. A life-threatening condition includes temperatures of 90 degree or higher and temperatures 30 degrees or lower.
The earliest the City Council could vote on the measure would be at its Jan. 18 meeting. Wilde said they hoped the council would suspend the rules and move to pass the bill at that time.
Also at Thursday's Public Safety Committee meeting, members forwarded to the full council a resolution for the fire department to apply for a grant to help pay for fire hoses and nozzles.
Fire Chief Matt Schofield said the grant would also provide funds to help train fire personnel.
The grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency would be for $171,330 and would require the city to match 10 percent of that amount, or $19,037, which would come out of the fire department's capital improvements budget for equipment.
The resolution looks to go before the City Council at its Monday meeting.