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St. Helens council approves first reading of amended animal-control ordinance exempting law‑enforcement, search‑and‑rescue and service animals
Summary
Council moved and approved the first reading of Ordinance 3324 on July 15, 2026, amending the St. Helens municipal code to clarify Section 7 exemptions: dogs trained for law enforcement, search-and-rescue, and ADA‑eligible service animals may be off leash when under control.
The St. Helens City Council approved the first reading of Ordinance 3324 as amended on July 15. The amendment clarifies Section 7 exemptions to the city’s animal-control code to permit dogs trained for law enforcement purposes, search-and-rescue dogs under emergency responder control, and ADA-eligible service animals to be off leash when under the control of an appropriate handler.
A councilor moved the amendment, saying, “Section 7 exemptions ... do not apply to dogs trained for law enforcement purposes under the control of a peace officer,” and noted search-and-rescue and ADA service-animal exceptions. A second was recorded and the council voted to approve the first reading as amended.
The ordinance amends St. Helens Municipal Code chapter 6.04 (animal control) and related language in chapter 9.16 (impoundment of vehicles). The council recorded affirmative votes on the first reading; the item will proceed through the normal ordinance-adoption process, including a subsequent reading before final adoption.
What’s next: the ordinance will return for its next reading and any additional council consideration required by local code.
