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Council advances amended animal ordinance, adds licensing, ACO position and TNR program
Summary
Council committee revised Chapter 505 to add permit requirements, a funded animal control role, a Trap-Neuter-Return coordinator and livestock rules; the council passed the ordinance on third reading.
On July 1 the Salem City Council moved forward with a revised animal ordinance that changes how the city licenses and manages nonaquatic animals, creates a formal animal control role and authorizes a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program for community cats.
Jeff Stockman, who reported the Rules and Ordinance Committee’s June 24 meeting, said the committee revised language so animals “not universally recognized as a companion animal” would be governed by the permit provisions and clarified which office would administer permits and licensing fees. Stockman read the committee minutes into the record and described multiple substantive changes recommended by the committee.
Key changes described in committee and presented to council include: - Permit and licensing structure: Permits for animals not universally recognized as companion animals would be required; permit fees are to be set annually in the city’s fee schedule and used to fund enforcement and program administration. - Animal Control Officer (ACO): The ordinance creates an ACO role (employee, contractor or appointee) to serve as the primary enforcement officer; funding for that position would come from license and permit fees. - Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR): The ordinance establishes a TNR program with a TNR coordinator and an approved roster of community cat caregivers and trappers; caregivers may care for community cats without being considered legal owners, and ear-tipping would indicate sterilization and vaccination. - Livestock and zoning limits: Residents may keep livestock such as chickens or goats only under specific conditions; livestock would be allowed on lots of one acre or larger unless special authorization is obtained. - Animal counts and noise: The limit of no more than five animals per household remains for nonaquatic animals (aquatic animals are exempt from the count); noise offenses now apply to all animals and carry misdemeanor penalties (first offense: minor misdemeanor; subsequent offenses: fourth-degree misdemeanor, as stated in committee discussion).
Stockman emphasized the revisions are intended as “a first step towards a more robust and humane animal management system for the city,” and the committee voted to forward the revised ordinance to council for formal consideration. At council, Stockman moved for third reading and immediate passage of ordinance 250128 (modifying Chapter 505 of the codified ordinances concerning animals and fowl); the council approved the ordinance by roll-call vote.
The ordinance assigns permit administration to city hall or the health department as described in the revised language, establishes licensing fee authority in the annual fee schedule and authorizes the city to operate the TNR program under veterinary supervision when required. The committee and council noted that enforcement capacity and health department resources were a motivating factor for revising administration and funding mechanisms.
The council’s action concluded the item as an adopted amendment to Chapter 505; council members and staff said further revisions could follow as the city monitors implementation and the TNR program’s effectiveness.
