The Glen Arden City Council presented two ordinances for first reading Sept. 15 that would amend Chapter 43 (Animals) of the city code: one would raise fines for improperly secured dogs, and another would add a nuisance section prohibiting pets from relieving themselves on private property.

The first ordinance would make violations municipal infractions punishable by a $200 fine for the first violation and $250 for subsequent violations; the draft states an effective date of October 2025 and instructs the city manager to ensure public awareness of the change. The clerk said this is a first reading and the city will advertise the proposed ordinance to solicit public comment before adopting a final version.

The second ordinance would add a new section to prohibit pet owners from allowing pets to relieve themselves on private property belonging to others, with identical fine levels ($200 first violation, $250 subsequent). In the text read into the record, an effective date was stated as "02/2025." The council said both measures would be advertised so citizens may comment at future hearings.

Council members did not vote on the ordinances at first reading; the action recorded was the first reading and direction to publish notices and hold the public-comment process required before final adoption.

Staff said the proposed changes reference the county animal-control ordinance as the baseline and that the city would coordinate required public notice and enforcement procedures prior to final passage.