Committee discusses enforcement of puppy sales, ordinance review and a staff retirement

A committee member reported a complaint about people selling pit-bull puppies without permits at a Sherwood Way Walmart and asked what enforcement action is appropriate. Amanda Wheedle and other staff explained the city’s enforcement roles: animals are considered property and cannot be seized without a warrant, and itinerant vendor permits are enforced by the Police Department. "As far as whether or not animals would be confiscated, animals can't be confiscated by law without a warrant," Wheedle said. She added that whether officers issue citations for lack of an itinerant vendor permit is at the officers’ discretion.

Wheedle said she will raise the issue with Assistant Chief Scott during her regular monthly meeting with police to discuss patrol coordination and after-hours response. Staff explained that if police collect owner information and an owner is within city limits, Animal Services can follow up on breeders-permit failures but the initial citation is at the police department’s discretion.

Separately, Wheedle told the committee she will hold off on presenting proposed city ordinance changes until after she meets with legal at the end of next month to ensure proposed changes align with state law and city views. Toward the end of the meeting, Morgan (identified by colleagues) announced this would be their last meeting before retirement; committee members thanked Morgan for their service.

The committee agreed to consider scheduling enforcement of itinerant vendor activity for future agenda discussion and did not take formal action at this meeting.