Commissioners Approve Tweaked Animal Control Ordinance

[distressedparent]

ANGOLA) - After some concerns were raised recently by Steuben County Sheriff Tim Troyer, County Commissioners passed an amended animal control ordinance on Tuesday. Commissioners suspended the ordinance on December 5th so that it could be fine tuned to please both the Sheriffs Department and the Steuben County Humane Shelter. Attorney Allen Stout represented the Humane Shelter and he felt the concerns raised by Troyer were valid. Troyer felt three weeks ago the ordinance language would not allow his department to have a K-9 unit. Stout says the language has been tweaked. It states the ordinance does not cover law enforcement agencies. Other language has been changed to cover barking dogs and owners proof of insurance. The ordinance was originally passed in November. It had not taken effect because it has not been advertised.

I was wondering if they will put this ordinance on the Steuben County Government website. I would really like to know how this ordinance is worded. Also I noted in the ordinance that it addresses barking dogs. Being a pet owner myself I would like to know how they will address barking dogs and the constant use of fireworks in and around our lakes. Our family pet does not usually bark very often but seems to more when there is the constant use of fireworks in our neighborhood. Will there be some leniency shown when fireworks are part of the issue.

Just wondering?????

[Common-Tater]

ANGOLA) - After some concerns were raised recently by Steuben County Sheriff Tim Troyer, County Commissioners passed an amended animal control ordinance on Tuesday. Commissioners suspended the ordinance on December 5th so that it could be fine tuned to please both the Sheriffs Department and the Steuben County Humane Shelter. Attorney Allen Stout represented the Humane Shelter and he felt the concerns raised by Troyer were valid. Troyer felt three weeks ago the ordinance language would not allow his department to have a K-9 unit. Stout says the language has been tweaked. It states the ordinance does not cover law enforcement agencies. Other language has been changed to cover barking dogs and owners proof of insurance. The ordinance was originally passed in November. It had not taken effect because it has not been advertised.

I was wondering if they will put this ordinance on the Steuben County Government website. I would really like to know how this ordinance is worded. Also I noted in the ordinance that it addresses barking dogs. Being a pet owner myself I would like to know how they will address barking dogs and the constant use of fireworks in and around our lakes. Our family pet does not usually bark very often but seems to more when there is the constant use of fireworks in our neighborhood. Will there be some leniency shown when fireworks are part of the issue.

Just wondering?????

I'm curious what the ordinance is and why the police department is exempt? No one likes walking past a car and having a dog go berserk in the car.

[HoosierHelen]

We have a small dog (dachhound) who only barks if a stranger steps onto our front steps of our front porch or if a new dog presents itself on our lawn. Both events also cause us concern....we want to know about these things. We love and appreciate our dog and his due diligence in watching out for our home. NO...he is not an attack dog...but...he sure as heck lets us know when something foreign is occurring on our property. He is also a great little lover too.

[Common-Tater]

We have a small dog (dachhound) who only barks if a stranger steps onto our front steps of our front porch or if a new dog presents itself on our lawn. Both events also cause us concern....we want to know about these things. We love and appreciate our dog and his due diligence in watching out for our home. NO...he is not an attack dog...but...he sure as heck lets us know when something foreign is occurring on our property. He is also a great little lover too.

Barking dogs don't both me when they are just doing what dogs do. But when an untrained dog barks all day long or every time a person walks past the yard, it's a bit much. I would hope that any new ordinances take this kind of thing into account. Police dogs are the worst at being loud, intimidating, and obnoxious. A well trained police dog will sit in the car, keep quiet, and simply do as it is told.

[blue adept]

I'm curious what the ordinance is and why the police department is exempt? No one likes walking past a car and having a dog go berserk in the car.

Don't walk by the dog's car, it is his territory after all!

[Common-Tater]

Don't walk by the dog's car, it is his territory after all!

The car is often parked in public places. And it's not always clear a dog is in there until it goes wild. Sometimes, walking by the car is unavoidable. Again...better training.