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Bloomfield council asks staff to review Chapter 55 after incidents involving livestock and exotic animals
Summary
Councilors discussed widening Bloomfield’s Chapter 55 (animal control) beyond cats and dogs after a loose goat and a public display of snakes; they asked staff to confirm which ordinance version is current and to research possible language to restrict livestock or exotic animals within city limits.
Bloomfield city councilors discussed possible changes to Chapter 55 of the code of ordinances after recent local incidents involving animals not covered explicitly by the current language.
Council members noted two recent events: police responding to a loose goat and a resident bringing snakes to a public event on the square. The draft ordinance packet in council materials principally addresses cats and dogs, prompting members to ask staff to determine which version of the ordinance is current and whether to broaden the language to cover other animals or to add explicit prohibitions on livestock and exotic pets within city limits.
"We had a goat get loose ... a citizen brought some snakes to a public event on the square," one council member said while urging staff review. Members suggested four options: (1) retain current cat-and-dog language, (2) change wording to refer generally to "animals," (3) add specific prohibitions on livestock in town, or (4) create narrowly drawn rules for exotic or potentially dangerous species. Council did not vote on ordinance language at the meeting and instead requested staff (Gayla) to check the current ordinance file and return with recommendations.
Councilors also referenced anecdotal community concerns about animals in stores and public spaces and noted past instances of residents keeping pigs or other nontraditional pets. No formal motion to amend Chapter 55 was made; the item remains under staff review.
