The Jefferson City Council took no action Tuesday on proposed changes to the animal code after some residents expressed concerns.
At the council meeting Tuesday, a bill was introduced to change the code concerning animals housed outside. Jefferson City Police Department Capt. Eric Wilde has said the proposed changes would do three things: allow the police to take the dog's breed, age, size and condition into consideration when determining the proper shelter; more clearly define what a suitable shelter entails; and allow for a dog in danger of a life-threatening health condition to be temporarily impounded.
Second Ward Councilman Rick Mihalevich, who is the bill sponsor, said he had no intention of fast-tracking the bill after council members received a number of comments from concerned residents.
Wilde said the ordinance makes clear the police department would work with owners to ensure adequate shelter and provide any education needed. Immediate impoundment would only happen in dangerous weather when the owner can not be located or in a case of refusals from owners to work with officials.
Mihalevich specified the ordinance would not require sporting dogs to be housed inside if they have adequate shelter.
"I don't think it's a threat to those dogs who thrive outside," Mihalevich said.
Responding to a question from 3rd Ward Councilman Bob Scrivner, Wilde said the department had 189 check well being calls for animals in 2015, which lead to eight calls for animal neglect and cruelty. Wilde said the department sees spikes in winter and summer months.
Scrivner indicated some hesitance to support the bill, saying some residents have called this government overreach.
"Sometimes I think we just look for things to worry about," Scrivner said.
Wilde noted the proposed changes would allow the responding officer to take an animal's breed into consideration. He gave the example of a Siberian husky who thrives in the snow as being a case where the responding officer would not see a hazardous condition.
A new version of the bill was distributed to the council before the meeting, but Mihalevich did not substitute the bill Tuesday, instead telling council members he wanted to make sure they were comfortable with any new changes. He also noted the bill would be voted on once the council was comfortable with it.
"There's plenty of room for improvement," Mihalevich said. "There's a lot of misunderstandings about this."
The new version, which has not been officially substituted for the pending bill yet, takes out the proposed section concerning specifications for a dog shelter, instead specifying only the following:
• The structure must be completely enclosed except for a single entrance/exit; and
• Suitable drainage shall be provided so water cannot be reasonable expected to gather and proper bedding that remains dry, must be utilized inside the structure; and
• The dog must have space outside its shelter to move around and relieve itself away from its confinement, and this space must be free of broken glass and similar potentially dangerous materials which could result in injury to the dog; and
• The structure shall be moisture-resistant such that it is not easily affected or harmed by water, wind-resistant, and of suitable size and type to allow the animal to stand, turn about freely, lie in a normal position, and regulate proper body temperature; and
• Floors of buildings, runs and walls shall be waterproof material to permit proper cleaning and disinfection.
Mihalevich said if the council is not comfortable voting on the bill by the next meeting it will be moved to the informal calendar.