Going back to the dogs
City council to review new ordinance at September meeting

By Larry Blaskey
Douglas Dispatch
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 9:27 AM MDT


A petition signed by 60 community members concerning the new dog ordinance prompted discussion during the regular meeting of the Douglas City Council, on August 12.


Mayor Dr. Michael Gomez said that according to charter, any signed petition turned into the city must be placed on the agenda.

The petition stated “We the undersigned agree and support the intent of Ordinance 09-963 of holding people accountable for the health, well being and behavior of their pets. We do not support putting a limitation on how many cats or dogs one can own if a person is a responsible pet owner. Today, 63 percent of the households in the United States have a dog or cat as a member of their household. We agree laws on abuse and neglect should be enforced. We urge they be enforced. Do not go after the loving pets of responsible pet owners  whose animals are an important part of a family household. Do not punish responsible pet owners.”

City Attorney Juan Pablo Flores asked the council to direct staff to come up with alternatives for the dog ordinance at the next meeting in September.

“The proposal would conform to the wants of the public,” he said.

Councilman Mitch Lindemann said he has received several phone calls from concerned pet owners worried about the impact of the existing ordinance. Some of their concerns included:

√ City should not punish responsible pet owners.

√ Don’t limit the number of pets allowed.

√ Concentrate on enforcement and capture of stray animals.

√ Improve customer service at the Animal Shelter.

√ City may lose license fees because some may fear licensing their pet because they could be taken away.

“Regardless, the overriding concern is that enforcement is the key,” Lindemann said.

Councilman Bob Fernandez voiced his frustration that they had been looking at this situation for more than an year, but some of the same basic problems still have not been resolved.

The main problem involves one individual having to live next to someone with more than 20 dogs, and there still is no resolution.

“How come a citizen has been asking or help for two years, and still nothing is done. We need to help Mr. Guyton. He is our neighbor.”

The problem is not only the smell but the incessant barking. He is a prisoner in his own home, Fernandez said.

“Why are we not helping him? Why aren’t we farther,” Fernandez asked.

Councilman Ivan Huish hoped that enforcement  would be more strict, and if someone was fined and didn’t pay the fine, the could face jail time.

Gomez said he was confident that the problem with the ordinance could be resolved. “We are going to resolve this to the satisfaction of the community,” he said.

Fernandez asked, “What are we going to do now to help Mr.Guytan?”

Flores pointed out that the current ordinance can be used and enforced.

In a related note, Dr. Michael Ames, DVM, said the biggest animal problem in Douglas is overpopulation, and the Arizona Humane Society will be begin hosting Spay/Neutering clinics two days a month in Douglas soon.

 

Copyright © 2012 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    Leroy wrote on Aug 25, 2009 10:54 AM:

    " Councilman Bob Fernandez, get real one person does not make a City. If they would of asked me to sign the petition on ordinance 09-963 I would of proudly signed, and been number 64, If I had a form for others to sign it probably would of reached 100. "

    WTF wrote on Aug 21, 2009 10:58 PM:

    " That is what China is doing to their people, if you can follow in their footsteps, you may ascertain genicide. Maybe that is what people may ponder durning long periods of drinking tap- water. The effects maybe detrimental? "

    Confused..... wrote on Aug 21, 2009 10:23 PM:

    " It's quite obvious, that Councilman Fernandez has become another "Joan of Arc" for Mr. Guytan. Unfortunately, Don Quijote was not fighting a dog ordinance, but a windmill. So, enough hot air and Mr. Guytan. I'm sure, that there are more important issues that need to be identified, addressed and corrected in this town alone. The sad thing about this dog ordinance is a simple one. Irresponsible pet owners and the citizens that want to voice their opinions, but don't want to be seen. Simple solution: If you don't want to speak and be heard, do us a favor, by keeping your mouth shut! Is there a reason, as to why the city continues to allow a pet owner, not to vaccinate and license their animals? Oh yeah, my dog never leaves the yard (my eye is blinking.) Why aren't your dog catchers enforcing the city's own ordinance? In closing, "Oh where, oh where, has my Underdog gone. Oh where, oh where can he be?" "

    Ira Gold wrote on Aug 21, 2009 3:11 AM:

    " This was a nice article. Thank you for sharing your insights! I will avidly wait for your next blog entry.

    ----------------
    Ira Gold "

    Hello wrote on Aug 19, 2009 7:12 PM:

    " I suggest that the animals at the animal shelter be posted on Petfinder so that people are able to see the animals available for adoption. Also the rescue organizations should be contacted so that the dogs could be socialized until homes can be found for them. I agree with Dr. Ames that overpopulation is a huge problem. Low-cost spay and neuter clinics will help a lot to reduce this. Also, if people have cats they need to be kept inside and not allowed to roam freely and overpopulate. People need to be responsible with their dogs as well. Leave the breeding to the experts and spay and neuter their dogs. I agree that no one should tell anyone how many animals that they can have. Also, the city could have the inmates pick up the waste from homes as a community service. "

    omar wrote on Aug 19, 2009 3:35 PM:

    " I'll tell you what the problem is, too many frivolous ordinances,that continue to impede the daily functions and liberties of the people of Douglas.Whats next an ordinance to turn off your lights at a specific time in order to not offend your neighbors,especially if they're on the city council.Seems they don't have something better to do. "

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