The Hopkins City Council, at their regular meeting Monday, February 2nd, passed an ordinance limiting the number of cats and dogs that residents may own. Residents may own up to three dogs and four cats. The ordinance contains a grandfather clause. Any owner who is already in possession of more than three dogs and four cats shall be permitted to retain the animals until the animal’s death or other disposition. No such animal may be replaced or added if the addition exceeds the limitations passed. Owners must register all such animals by April 1st and keep registration up to date.
People are guilty of animal neglect when they have in custody or ownership an animal and fails to provide adequate care or control which results in substantial harm. Dumping of animals is prohibited.
A person is guilty of animal abuse when they purposefully kill an animal except where allowed by state law, purposely or intentionally cause injury or suffering to an animal, or fail to provide for their adequate care or control.
Breeding of animals in public view is prohibited. If animals are to be bred, it has to be done within an enclosure so that they are not in public view.
It shall be unlawful for any person to permit an animal to run at large within the city. All dogs must be attached to a leash or confined to the owner’s property so they do not stray from their property. Dogs bearing an identification tag stating the owner’s name and address and being kept on the property without a leash or other confinement shall not be deemed to be running at large.
A tether to which a dog is attached shall either be held by a person sufficiently capable of restraining such dog or shall be securely fastened to an object of sufficient weight and/or anchor to restrain such dog. Such a tether shall not allow a dog to be within three feet of any public alley, sidewalk, or roadway, allow the dog to come into contact with another tethered dog, or allow the dog to cross any barrier which could result in the dog being hung by its collar. Dogs who are tethered must have access at all times to food, water, and shelter, be attached by a well-fitted dog collar or harness in good working condition that is not a slip, self-tightening, or “prong” collar, and remain free of entangled objects.
All dogs being kept within the city by the time they reach three months shall be vaccinated against rabies. Unvaccinated dogs over three months of age acquired or moved into the city must be vaccinated within 30 days.
No person shall own, keep, or harbor on any premises any dog over three months of age without obtaining a license tag for that dog. Such license tag shall be attached to the collar of the dog. Dog licenses shall be issued upon presentation of a certificate of inoculation against rabies, signed by a licensed veterinarian, which certificate shall have been executed sometime during the previous 36 month period for a three-year vaccination or during the previous 12 months for other vaccinations. Applications for dog licenses shall be made every year before December 31st for each 12-month period.
License fees shall be $10 for a spayed or neutered dog and $40 for one that is not. No license shall be issued for a spayed or neutered dog without a certificate from a veterinarian.
The dog licensing rules do not apply for owners who are non-residents temporarily for a period of less than 30 days, people who bring dogs into town for a dog show, or the owner of a seeing-eye or other ADA compliant service dog needed to assist a person while in town. Such service dogs must be used and owned by the person for the stated purpose.
No person shall own or harbor within the city any dog that by loud and frequent or habitual barking, yelping, or howling, is an annoyance to another.
No person shall harbor or keep a fierce, vicious, or dangerous dog or other animal without being caged in a manner not to pose a danger to any inhabitant of the city. Such dogs, upon finding of guilty, shall be removed from the city.
Any person who owns or controls an animal that bites a person or domestic animal or acts in a manner suggesting rabies shall notify the City Council or its designee of the name and address of the person or owner of the animal bitten and place such animal in an animal shelter operated by a veterinarian for a ten-day period of quarantine for observation for rabies at the owner’s expense. Neither the council nor any other person shall kill or cause to be killed any animal suspected of being rabid except when necessary to protect the safety of persons or other animals or to effect the capture of said animal.
Any dog running at large within the city and whose owner cannot be determined shall be impounded. All dogs so picked up may be redeemed by the owner upon proof of ownership, payment of boarding fees, and payment of a rabies shot if proof of immunization against rabies cannot be provided. If proof of immunization against rabies is procided within seven days, a refund will be granted. Such owners have seven days to redeem impounded dogs. Dogs that are not claimed within seven days will be adopted out or destroyed.
Violations of this ordinance will be subject to criminal or civil penalties. Criminal penalties can be punished by imprisonment not exceeding three months and/or a fine of not more than $500.
The vote to pass this ordinance was unanimous.
The city certified the ballot for the April 7th election. There are four people running for two Alderman positions. They are Rick Gladman, Allan Thompson, Allen Coleman, and David Smyser. A renewal of the Street Improvement Levy is also on the ballot. This is not a tax increase, but a renewal of an existing levy.
The city has sent letters of violation to various owners. One family has moved. One person came in and got tags for his dogs. Other letters have not been responded to; they will go to the City Attorney for further action. One letter will be sent to the landlord of one of the properties.
The delinquent list was discussed. It is much shorter now than it was before. Previously, it was three pages long; now, it is half a page long.
The city received a complaint regarding unlicensed vehicles parked in the road. They interfere with the school bus route as well as emergency vehicles. The city will send out letters of violation.
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