Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animal Control topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council agrees to draft separate ordinances for estrays and loose/dangerous pets; seeks sheriff input
Summary
Councilmembers asked staff to have the town attorney prepare short, targeted draft ordinances addressing animals found running at large (estrays) and a separate, simplified set of rules for loose, dangerous or nuisance dogs and cats; the council emphasized seeking enforcement input from the sheriff's office.
Councilmembers discussed multiple draft animal-code documents and directed staff to ask the town attorney to prepare concise draft ordinances for specific enforcement problems.
Mayor pro tem/Mayor (transcript identifies as council members) opened the conversation by stressing the need for an estray ordinance that complies with state law when the town or deputies round up unowned livestock (unbranded or branded sheep, cow, horse, mule, swine) found running at large. The purpose, she said, is to provide notice requirements, storage or holding location, owner reimbursement of costs and a disposition process if no owner claims the animal.
Councilmembers debated whether to combine estray livestock with loose dogs, feral cats and licensing into a single large animal- and pet-code or to keep them as separate, short ordinances. Several members favored separating estrays (large livestock and swine) from dog/cat issues because the practical enforcement, holding and disposition processes differ: livestock are generally taken to auction or a facility, while loose domestic dogs more commonly involve owner notification and pick-up.
The council also directed staff to prepare a separate, streamlined approach to nuisance/loose/dangerous dogs and feral cats that would address running-at-large, dangerous animals and the town’s enforcement steps (pick up, holding location, owner fees, dangerous-animal definitions). Licensing of pets drew mixed reaction; several councilmembers said they prefer not to pursue a general pet-licensing program now because it adds administrative burden and likely would not solve the main enforcement problems.
Councilmembers stressed that enforcement logistics — where animals are held, who picks them up, and how deputies will be used — require input from the San Juan County sheriff’s office. Staff committed to asking the attorney’s office to draft short ordinances that are easy to enforce and to follow up with the sheriff and deputies before returning the drafts to council for review.
