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Resident calls for repeal of Mitchell’s vicious-animal ordinance, criticizes use of Dunbar bite scale
Summary
A resident urged the council to repeal the city's 'vicious animal' ordinance, calling it unconstitutional and questioning the use of the Dunbar bite scale for animals; the speaker asked for a vetting and redraft of the ordinance.
Robert Hoffman addressed the council to call for repeal of Mitchell's vicious-animal ordinance, saying the ordinance as written is "illegal and unconstitutional, inhumane," and grants excessive unilateral authority to the police chief to decide euthanasia and appeals. Hoffman criticized the ordinance's incorporation of the Dunbar bite scale and said he contacted Dunbar Academy staff who told him the scale applies only to humans, not domestic animals. "Does a Dunbar bite scale apply to domestic animals?" he asked, then reported the answer: "No. Only to humans."
Hoffman urged the council to repeal and rework the ordinance so that decisions about animals follow due process, involve legal review and veterinary expertise, and avoid unnecessary harm to animals and families.
Why it matters: Animal-control rules intersect with constitutional due-process concerns, public safety, and community expectations around humane treatment. The resident urged the council to review the ordinance language and apply veterinary and legal scrutiny.
What happened: The citizen comment was heard; no formal motion to change the ordinance was presented at the meeting. Council members did not indicate an immediate vote, and the matter would require staff follow-up and potential ordinance amendments to come before the council for formal action.
