The Arcata City Council on Aug. 20 introduced an ordinance amending municipal code provisions related to dogs at large, service animals, dog licenses and dog impoundment. Danielle Allred, contracts and special projects manager, presented the proposed ordinance and staff recommendations.

Allred said the ordinance is prompted by a claim for money or damages that revealed inconsistencies in existing code language about guide dogs and similar animals. The proposed changes expand the code to use the broader definition of “service animal” consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, permit service animals in areas where other dogs are not allowed, and allow leash-law exemptions when a leash would interfere with a service animal’s trained tasks or when a person’s disability prevents the use of a leash. The ordinance also formalizes an existing local practice of waiving licensing fees for assistance/service dogs and aligns impound hold times with the California Food and Agriculture Code and the Humboldt County Animal Shelter practices the city contracts with for shelter services.

Joanne McGarry, who said she previously worked for the San Francisco SPCA, commented in support of the clearer distinction between trained service animals and emotional-support animals and praised the ordinance’s specific language.

Council member Stacey Atkinson Salazar moved to approve a staff amendment that replaces the term “assistance dog” with “service dog” throughout the relevant Arcata Municipal Code sections and to introduce ordinance number 1582 as amended. The motion was seconded and passed on recorded voice votes with no recorded opposition.

City staff will return the ordinance for final reading and adoption at a later meeting after the introduction. The ordinance also includes technical changes to ensure local code conforms with state law and the city’s contract with the Humboldt County Animal Shelter for animal-holding procedures.