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Council adopts emergency amendment to exclude police service dogs from city animal code
Summary
The council approved Ordinance 11‑04 in a single emergency reading to exempt police service animals and K‑9s from local animal control definitions so the city can implement canine programs and partner with outside agencies.
The Sutherland City Council approved Ordinance 11‑04 on first reading, declaring an emergency so the change took effect immediately. Troy Mills, chief of police, said the current municipal code did not exempt police service animals and “this prevents Sutherland from implementing police canines, or a program without violating the ordinance.” Mills told the council the change reduces legal risk to the city and its partner agencies and allows the department to use police canines within city limits.
The ordinance amends municipal code sections cited in staff materials (listed as 6.04.010 and 8.16.010 in the staff report) to exclude police service animals and K‑9s from the general definition of “animal.” Mills asked the council to approve the ordinance with an emergency declaration under the city charter to permit immediate implementation.
Councilors did not record amendments during discussion. The motion to adopt Ordinance 11‑04 on first reading with emergency declaration carried unanimously: Councilor Woods, Councilor Daigle, Councilor Sarnoski, Councilor Smalley, Councilor Hamilton, Councilor Whitaker and the Mayor (name not specified) each voted “Aye.”
Council comments noted the ordinance removes a barrier to mutual aid and to using partner agencies’ canine resources; Mills said without the exemption a visiting or regional K‑9 could be constrained by the current code.
