Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animal Control topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Town hearing on dog-licensing law highlights barking concerns; board tables amendment
Summary
During a public hearing on a proposed local dog-licensing law, residents warned against a narrowly written barking amendment that could unduly restrict ordinary pets; the board agreed to rewrite the proposal and took no action tonight.
The Town of Alexandria opened a public hearing Sept. 18 on a proposed local law to govern dog licensing and control and to consider a separate barking amendment. A resident identified in the record as John said he feared an overly strict barking rule could make it “almost impossible for me to keep my dog.”
Board members agreed the draft barking amendment needs more work. The chair said the document before the board was an initial draft and that they did not intend to approve an amendment at this meeting: “So I believe we're not taking any action on an amendment tonight.” Members discussed rewriting the law from scratch to ensure it covers different housing situations — single-family homes versus multifamily dwellings — and to add progressive enforcement steps such as documentation and incremental enforcement before penalties are applied.
The hearing closed after public comment and the board voted to table the barking amendment while staff and the town attorney revise the language and return with a more detailed proposal. No final changes or penalties were adopted at the Sept. 18 meeting.
