Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animal Control topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents ask Seabrook council to clarify ordinance after underground-fence tickets
Summary
Two residents told the council they were ticketed despite using underground dog-fence systems that keep animals on their property and asked the council to clarify Seabrook’s animal-at-large ordinance and enforcement practices.
Two residents who live on Loganberry Circle urged the Seabrook City Council on Oct. 15 to clarify the city’s animal-at-large ordinance after multiple tickets they said were issued despite their dogs remaining on private property.
Staley Hutton, who identified herself as a resident at 2519 Loganberry Circle, told council she has used an underground electric containment fence at her property since 2019 and that the system prevents her animals from leaving the yard. Hutton said she has three tickets from animal control and is scheduled to appear in court, and accused the animal-control officer she identified as Dwayne of “abuse of his power” in how those tickets were issued. “My dogs never have never left my yard. Never,” Hutton said.
Patricia Jones, who said she is Hutton’s cousin and also spends time at 2519 Loganberry Circle, backed Hutton’s account. Jones said the photographs attached to the tickets show animals inside the fenced yard and that neighborhood neighbors have not complained. “It seems a little overboard, and I don’t think it’s what the intent of the ordinance is,” Jones said, describing conversations with the district attorney and the animal-control officer.
City staff said they would add an item to a future meeting agenda to have Animal Control report back on underground containment systems and enforcement procedures. A council member specifically asked staff to request a report from Animal Control about underground fences at the next meeting; staff confirmed they would place the item on the agenda.
Council did not take formal action at the Oct. 15 meeting on the ordinance language. The residents urged the council to revise the ordinance to specify acceptable containment technologies and standards so owners who use newer technologies are not cited when the animals remain on the property.
