Mossyrock council sends livestock, dog ordinance back to planning commission after public concern

The Mossyrock City Council voted unanimously on June 17 to send Ordinance No. 520 — a proposed update to the city's animal and livestock code — back to the Planning Commission for revision. Councilmember Ron Lindgren moved that the ordinance be returned with instructions to separate dog-related sections from livestock provisions; Mark Thompson seconded and the motion passed without opposition.

The action followed public comment raising questions about language that commenters said appeared to allow police or animal control to enter private property without a warrant and about potential city liability for such entries. Planning Commission staff had reported that the commission held a June 9 public hearing, heard no testimony, and recommended Ordinance 520 as drafted. Councilmembers debated whether the city should treat dogs and livestock in a single ordinance. Councilmember Juliana Simon had moved to accept the ordinance as written, but Lindgren's motion to send it back prevailed after council members expressed a preference for simplifying and separating the topics. Lindgren argued the city's agricultural character supported allowing common livestock; as he put it, "Let them have a cow. If they want to have chickens, let them have chickens."

Councilmember Mark Thompson also voiced concerns about language that could allow officials to enter private property and about whether roofed enclosures should be required for animals other than vicious dogs. Planning Commission member Marcia Manley told the council that dangerous-dog provisions already exist in city code and that the draft ordinance primarily recodes and clarifies existing rules. The council's return to the Planning Commission establishes that the issue will be revised and reconsidered at a future meeting rather than adopted at this session.