A new proposal being considered by the city of Emporia would raise the pound fees for animals that turn up at the shelter more than once. The fee would stay $10 per day for the first offense, but go up by $10 per day for each additional offense up to a maximum of $40 per day.
The issue was discussed at Wednesday’s city commission meeting.
Initially, shelter manager Rachel Parris and City Attorney Blaise Plummer suggested leaving the fees alone, but adding a flat $20, $30 or $40 to the bill for repeat offenders. But commissioners suggested that increasing the per-day might help irresponsible pet owners get the message faster.
“You’ve got to make it pretty severe or they’re not going to pay attention,” Commissioner Bobbie Agler said.
The proposed increase was one of a package of changes suggested for the animal shelter. Parris and Ford also suggested:
• Raising the adoption fee to $130 for an unsterilized dog, $50 for a fixed dog, $100 for an unsterilized cat, $50 for a puppy and $30 for a kitten, instead of the flat $20 adoption fee now in force. Puppies would also require a $60 deposit and kittens a $30 deposit, refundable after the animal is eventually sterilized.
• Increasing the license fee from $3 to $10 for sterilized dogs and cats, and from $10 to $20 for un-sterilized.
• Instituting a $30 surrender fee for anyone giving up pets to the shelter. Presently, there is no charge.
The proposals will be voted on at a later city commission meeting.
hottopics (anonymous) says...
QUOTE: "You’ve got to make it pretty severe or they’re not going to pay attention,” Commissioner Bobbie Agler said.
This is what needs to be done by the City Prosector with repeat offenders of nuisance and dog at large. Heavy fines will motivate people to make sure their dogs are kept on their property and not disturbing the neighborhoods.
November 10, 2006 at 8:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )