Springdale Committee Sends Animal Ordinance To Council

— The City Council will vote on tightening its animal control ordinance at its next meeting, over the objections of several people who didn’t want any changes.

The Council Ordinance Committee voted Monday to send the revision to the entire council with a recommendation for approval.

Virginia Russell, a resident of the city, asked why changes are being made.

“If you have an ordinance that works, why are you changing it?” Russell asked.

Charlotte Venable, with the Northwest Arkansas Pet Alliance, also opposed the ordinance changes. The changes are vague, open to misinterpretation and may cause animals to be unjustly impounded or euthanized, she said.

The changes are an attempt to be more specific in defining potentially dangerous animals, said Jeff Watson, alderman. The changes do not make a definition more vague, he said.

“I don’t see that there is that much of a difference,” Watson said.

Watson asked that the description of an animal chasing or confronting a person or domestic animal be removed from the definition. The committee approved that revision.

Ruth Brown would like to see more protection for her animal problems, she said. The city resident said a dog near her house was constantly getting loose and coming into her yard.

“I have to look before I go outside,” Brown said. “I won’t go out if that dog is loose. But summer is coming and I’ll have to mow my yard.”

The dog owner has been cited into court but the case has not come up yet, said Courtney Kremer, director of animal control.

The opponents also objected to allowing a city resident to bring a complaint against an animal to ask it be ruled vicious or potentially dangerous.

“A neighbor can be mad at a neighbor and call police to say their animal is vicious,” Russell said.

The complaint would go to court and only the judge can make that ruling, said Brad Bruns, alderman.

“I have faith the system works,” Bruns said.

Venable suggested three professionals experienced in animal behavior should evaluate animals suspected of being vicious or potentially dangerous. The group could present their findings to the court, she said.

Professionals could testify in court now, said Ernest Cate, city attorney.

Upcoming Events