Irresponsible Pet Ownership
On Monday evening, January 5th, the city council passed Ordinance 183 to the City Code Book on three readings to help protect the community with irresponsible pet owners. In the need to strengthen the code and allow Pottawattamie County Animal Control the ability to assist Treynor better. More than 99% of the issues we have with dogs are not the fault of the dog itself but rather the owner, and the sanctions are limited with our current code. Here is what was added to the existing code:
55.15 HABITUAL IRRESPONSIBLE ANIMAL OWNERSHIP: Any animal owner that has been convicted of, or deemed responsible for, any violation of this Chapter by a court of competent jurisdiction on two (2) occasions in a twelve (12) month period may be designated an “irresponsible animal owner”.
If an animal owner of, or deemed irresponsible for, a third violation of this Chapter by a court of competent jurisdiction in a twelve (12) month period, all animals may be confiscated and disposed of at the discretion of the Animal Control Supervisor, and no animal licenses shall be issued to anyone at the irresponsible animal owner’s residence for a period of thirty-six (36) months from the date of the third court order.
No person designated as an irresponsible animal owner shall sell or otherwise transfer ownership of any animal to another person residing at the same address.
55.16 HABITUAL IRRESPONSIBLE ANIMAL OWNER – DESIGNATION REMOVED: Any designation as an irresponsible animal owner shall expire after thirty-six (36) months provided the person so designated shall avoid any further violations of this Chapter during that time. Any further violations of this Chapter may result in immediate confiscation and disposal of any animals, at the discretion of the Animal Control Supervisor, or as otherwise provided by law.