Updates likely in store for dangerous animal ordinance
Cornell’s dangerous animal ordinances are under scrutiny, after discussion of what can be done in the cases of a few dogs, was brought before the Public Health and Safety Committee Feb. 10.
Cornell Police Chief Brian Hurt reported there is a small number of dogs with an aggressive temperament in town, who are unlicensed, unvaccinated and often unleashed. He says the owners in question have already been fined multiple times, but no compliance has been reached.
Ashley Carothers, committee member, says she has talked to the neighbors of one of the dogs and they told her that dog has gone after their animals, too.
Hurt says one of the dogs runs through the area and has cornered people before.
“I’m not trying to make this an issue of breed specific,” said Hurt. “Because I don’t care if it’s a Chihuahua. I don’t care if it’s a Great Dane.”
Hurt emphasized the problem is the temperament of the animal, not the breed of the dog, and says he is not trying to target any specific dog or person with the ordinance change.
“It’s a problem that I could see coming up again in the future,” said Hurt.
He says they need a better angle to tackle the issue of aggressive animals from, because the way the ordinance is currently written, they cannot deem a dog as dangerous until after two people get bitten.
“That’s a problem,” said Hurt.
He says two of his biggest concerns, are that they are waiting for two people to be potentially hurt, or worse, when they are dealing with a known problem animal and owner. His other concern, is there is an animal that is “terrorizing” the neighborhood and that needs to be stopped.
Committee member Terry Smith also worried it could become a liability issue for the city and Hurt agreed they want to avoid that as well.
Aimee Korger, committee chair, says the city attorney provided a copy of a Wausau ordinance, and suggested that serve as a starting point for the committee to begin updating Cornell’s ordinance.
Korger expressed concern that the Wausau ordinance may not specify enough how to remove animals deemed dangerous and where they go when they are removed. Hurt says they should work with the city attorney to make sure that language is included.
Carothers also said she wants to make sure the language used in any re-written ordinance, matches what is used in other city ordinances.
Hurt said, what he likes about the Wausau ordinance, is that it allows a dog to be deemed a habitual nuisance and threat, without the animal biting someone first. He says that would allow them to remove the animal sooner. He also said he would like Cornell’s ordinance to cover any type of animal, whether that be a dog, cat or something else.
“I think it should be animal,” agreed Carothers.
Members also looked at Eau Claire’s ordinance for dangerous dogs, and discussed what they did and did not like about the wording.
Carothers asked Hurt how long owners are given to rectify the problem, after receiving a citation for an unlicensed or unvaccinated dog.
Hurt says the long-standing protocol is two weeks for a first written warning and a follow-up call, and additional week, with a second written warning. After that, the owners are issued citations with mandatory court dates.
He says most people comply, and get their dogs licensed and vaccinated before it becomes a larger issue.
“The whole idea isn’t to issue tickets, it’s to get compliance,” said Hurt.
Carothers also asked about rabies quarantines. Hurt said, if a dog or cat without proof of a rabies vaccination bites someone, the animal must do a 10-day quarantine at a vet’s office.
“Then, they can get their shots and then they can be released back to the owner,” said Hurt.
He says a vaccinated animal who bites someone, does still need to quarantine, but can do so at home.
Hurt says he is asking to have Cornell’s ordinance redone, so the police department can take action sooner. He said he does not expect a resolution immediately, but wanted to bring it to the committee’s attention.
Carother’s said she would like to see work on the ordinance begin soon.
“Instead of running the risk of one of our officers or community people, or anybody getting injured, when we could have had it done a lot quicker,” said Carothers.
Committee members agreed to look into more animal ordinances throughout the area, so they can pull together elements from different ones they like.
The Public Health and Safety Committee will meet to discuss the issue again Thursday, Feb. 18, at 5:30 p.m., at the council chambers, ahead of the regular council meeting.
