Pet welfare gets city focus
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From pet licensing and pound services to regulating boarding facilities, the Minot City Council had plenty to consider regarding the community's four-legged, furry residents at its meeting Monday, Aug. 3.
The council approved the lease of a Trinity warehouse at 3100 4th Ave. SE for a dog pound.
The lease is $3,500 a month for one year, according to information provided to the council by the Minot Police Department. The city also would incur costs of preparing and operating the facility. Planned modifications include security cameras, fencing and electrical work, which come to $7,450, according to police information.
In February, the Ward County Commission approved the lease of a county highway building for the city's temporary dog pound through Aug. 31. The commission voted Tuesday, Aug. 4, to extend the lease through September and increase the allowed capacity from 12 to 24 dogs.
The city reported the high point was 24 dogs over Memorial Day weekend, with an average hold of 16 dogs and current hold of 13 dogs.
Ward County Commissioner Jason Olson noted the numbers have exceeded the lease agreement consistently.
"I was a little disappointed to hear about that after the fact," he said, suggesting the city should have requested a modification earlier.
Police Chief Michael Frye said the city's past agreement for pound services with a local animal shelter insulated it from the actual need. Now knowing the potential extent of need, the agreement with Trinity doesn't place a capacity limit on dogs. Frye added the department also hopes to address the capacity issue with more emphasis on pet neutering and spaying and microchipping.
The city council hesitated to schedule a pop-up pet licensing event proposed by the police department to be held in its secured entryway. Council member Rob Fuller suggested delaying a pop-up event until after a new pet licensing structure is developed and approved by the council in October.
The intention is to consider an event next spring.
The city requires all dogs and cats six months and older to be licensed and current on rabies vaccination.
The pop-up event would increase compliance with pet licensing and offer an option for rabies and other core vaccines at a time when regional veterinary shortages are occurring, a police memo to the council stated. Microchipping also will be available, which streamlines the return of lost and found animals and reduces police resources dedicated to animal control calls.
The proposal is for required vaccinations and pet licenses to be offered for a combined fee of $10. The optional microchipping is $5. Frye estimated about 125 animals could be accommodated.
The council accepted a $1,940 Banfield Foundation Community Cares Grant to assist with costs, estimated to total $3,105. The grant needs to be spent by next June.
The council also was asked to consider an ordinance that would regulate pet boarding facilities in Minot and its two-mile extraterritorial area. Council members didn't take immediate action on the proposed "Luffy's Law."
A former Minot resident, Elaine Edington, sent a letter to the council proposing licensing of boarding and pet daycare facilities. Last December, she said, her family lost Luffy when the dog escaped from a boarding facility through a gate left unlocked. In April, Luffy was found deceased on the property.
"This experience highlighted the lack of clear local standards, inspection requirements, and accountability by leaving our family with uncertainty, grief and unanswered questions. No family should have to endure this heartbreaking burden, especially when reasonable local safeguards could have prevented Luffy's tragedy," she said.
She submitted Luffy's Law, patterned after a Massachusetts ordinance and the City of Fargo's ordinance.
Supporter Candy Cline spoke on behalf of the request Monday.
"This proposal is not about placing unnecessary burdens on responsible businesses. It is about creating clear, common sense expectations for licensing, inspections, record keeping, transparency and emergency response when families trust a boarding facility with their beloved pet," she said.
An informal petition collected 1,342 signatures in six days, she said.
"That response reflects a clear public interest in stronger oversight and greater accountability," Cline said. She asked the council to direct staff to review the proposal and gather input from boarding facility operators, animal welfare professionals and residents to begin drafting an ordinance.