Dogs on the loose
George Pester
Saturday, February 24, 2007
I’VE USED this space before to complain about dogs running loose. We did go a few months with some animal control. Now the problem is returning.
The weather has made it tough to get outside and walk, but because we still need the exercise I try to get out when possible.
The last couple days there were a pair of dogs that came at me at the corner of Kansas Avenue and South State Street. I am not very nimble, so when they came at me, I had a hard time getting away from them.
One of these dogs has always been loose and by itself is mostly just a nuisance, but when the other shows up, the combination is not good. Is there no money in the city budget for animal control?
Phil_Dillon (anonymous) says...
Mr. Pester
I agree with you wholeheartedly. The city has been saying there is no money for an additional animal control officer. It's been a zero sum game. But we need the officer and it can be done by finding a way to consolidate some other positions (staff or management) within city government to fund the needed position.
It's not only a nuisance, it's a public safety issue. We recently had a pit bull injure a couple of other dogs and the city spent a lot of time debating what did and did not constitute a dangerous animal. The ordinance was finally changed but now needs enforcement. If we don't sooner or later we're going to get the awful news that some senior citizen or child who isn't strong enough to fight off a dog attack will be injured, maimed, or, God forbid, killed.
This needs to be fixed and if I'm elected to the city commission I fully intend to be a voice to fix this festering problem.
Phil Dillon
Candidate for city commission
February 24, 2007 at 10:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )