Anaconda-Deer Lodge County opens public hearing on domestic-animal task force to update 1978 ordinance

The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission opened a public hearing on Ordinance No. 277, a proposal to create a domestic animal task force charged with recommending changes to the county’s animal ordinance No. 11.

Commissioner Bobette urged that the county ensure the task force has secretarial support and complies with open-meeting rules, saying the committee needs a secretary to keep notes and prepare minutes and that meetings should be recorded if necessary to produce accurate written minutes.

Public commenter Bill Willing of 300 Hemlock Street urged a thorough rewrite of the county’s animal-control rules, noting the existing ordinance dates to 1978. He recommended clearer distinctions between domestic and rural animals, an explicit definition of “private nuisance” beyond simple decibel thresholds — citing pitch, repetition and odor — and substantially higher fines to ensure compliance. "We need fines that will ensure compliance with the ordinance," Willing said.

County staff explained that minutes for the task force would be submitted to the commission clerk as drafts and returned to the task force for approval, and that staff would explore available recording or courthouse resources to assist with minute preparation.

The chair closed the hearing after calling for public comment three times. No formal motion or vote on the task force occurred at the meeting; commissioners indicated the item will return for further consideration.

What happens next: the commission will consider the task-force proposal in subsequent meetings; supporters urged the board to address definitions, enforcement mechanisms and administrative support before adopting changes to the animal ordinance.