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Falls City council approves first reading of ordinance tightening rules for dogs and cats
Summary
The City of Falls City approved the first reading of Ordinance 2024-101, which revises Chapter 6 (police regulations) to add limits on the number of household dogs and cats, expand dangerous-dog requirements, and set new impoundment, microchipping and insurance rules; the vote was 5 in favor, 1 abstention.
The City of Falls City Council approved the first reading of Ordinance 2024-101, amending Chapter 6 of the city code on dogs and cats to add limits on numbers of animals, clarify dangerous-dog definitions and set conditions for return of impounded animals; the measure passed on first reading with five ayes and one abstention.
The ordinance would add sections 6-115 and 6-116 and revise multiple existing sections (6-101 through 6-104, 6-107 and 6-110 through 6-114). It would limit the total number of dogs and cats in a household to five (combined). Households that now exceed that limit are grandfathered but may not increase their total above five; owners may apply for a city permit in cases where they temporarily exceed the cap.
Under the proposed changes, animals that qualify as guide or service dogs and have graduated from a recognized training school would have their license waived while actively working; once the animal ceases to serve as a working dog it must be licensed. The council asked staff to confirm whether city officers may request documentation for a claimed service or guide animal; staff said they would check applicable law and report back.
The ordinance tightens procedures for dogs declared dangerous. A dog declared dangerous would be immediately impounded. To reclaim a dangerous dog, an owner must provide proof of licensing, vaccination and liability insurance with a coverage minimum of $100,000; the dog must be microchipped within 30 days. If a dangerous dog is returned to an owner, it must be muzzled and leashed and handled only by a person at least 19 years of age. Owners previously declared to have had a dangerous dog would be prohibited from owning another dangerous dog for 10 years; violations carry confiscation and potential destruction of the animal and cost-recovery charges to the owner.
The code sets compliance timelines and an appeal path: an owner may file an appeal of a dangerous-dog designation to the city office within five days; the internal board will hold a hearing with at least 10 days' notice. If an impounded animal is not claimed within five days and statutory or code requirements are not met within the stated periods, the city may adopt out or euthanize the animal. Kennel and warning-sign requirements in the ordinance were revised to align with state statute in a few particulars cited by staff.
The first reading was approved; the ordinance will return to the council for subsequent readings before final adoption pursuant to the city's ordinance schedule.
