Sunnyside council adopts ordinance restricting dog breeding, sets follow-up revisions and delayed effective date

Sunnyside City Council voted Nov. 10 to adopt an ordinance amending chapter 6.04 of the Sunnyside Municipal Code and adding a new article to regulate dog breeding and the sale of dogs, while directing staff to refine penalty language and delay the ordinance’s effective date until enforcement capacity is in place.

City staff explained the ordinance would add a new section (6.04.045) to dog control and that the draft includes civil penalties "of up to $1,000 per violation per day." Councilors asked for more specificity about how fines would be assessed and whether the code would cover accidental litters as well as intentional breeding. Staff and the city attorney said the proposed definition would cover any act resulting in reproduction, whether intentional or due to negligence, and that the "up to $1,000" language sets a maximum while administrative procedures allow graduated penalties.

Council debate focused on fairness and enforceability. "An accidental litter that somebody has could be fined up to $1,000," Councilor Hancock said, urging clearer delineation between negligent and accidental incidents. Other councilors said having a law on the books would give enforcement authority while staff finalized fee schedules and hired an animal control officer. The city manager and staff committed to returning with clarified language and a defined effective date tied to hiring an animal control officer and implementation planning.

Council recorded a majority vote in favor of adoption, and the mayor stated the council expects follow-up revisions before the ordinance takes effect.