Title
ORDINANCE O-1516-18 UPON SECOND AND FINAL READING: AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, AMENDING SECTIONS 3-103 THROUGH 3-118 ADDING DEFINITIONS OF ANIMAL WELFARE CENTER, DANGEROUS ANIMAL AND EXOTIC AND NATIVE WILDLIFE AND DELETING DEFINITIONS OF SHELTER AND VICIOUS ANIMAL; AMENDING SECTIONS 3-201 THROUGH 3-223 AMENDING AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF THE ANIMAL WELFARE SUPERVISOR, FEES AND CHARGES, SALE AND DISPOSITION OF ANIMALS, OWNER RELINQUISHMENT, PET LICENSES, AND AUTHORITY TO EUTHANIZE; ADDING SECTION 3-207, REFUSAL TO REDEEM IMPOUNDED ANIMAL; AMENDING SECTIONS 3-301 THROUGH 3-304 REGARDING CRUELTY TO ANIMALS AND ANIMALS THAT ARE A NUISANCE; ADDING SECTION 3-302, TRANSPORTATION OF ANIMALS IN OPEN AREAS OF MOTOR VEHICLES; AMENDING SECTIONS 3-401 THROUGH 3-408 REGARDING CONFINEMENT OF DOGS AND CATS, SERVICE ANIMALS, VACCINATION, AND THE SALE OF DOGS OR CATS AND DELETING SECTIONS REGARDING BARKING AND VICIOUS DOGS; AMENDING SECTIONS 3-501 THROUGH 3-503 KEEPING OF ANIMALS OTHER THAN DOGS AND CATS AND KILLING OF WILD BIRDS; ADDING ARTICLE VI, SECTIONS 3-601 THROUGH 3-610 DEFINING HARBORING DANGEROUS ANIMAL, SEIZURE AUTHORITY, HEARING AND ADJUDICATION, CONFINEMENT AND PERMITTING, AND DESTRUCTION OR REMOVAL OF A DANGEROUS ANIMAL; AMENDING SECTION 13-108 ADDING A PERMIT FEE FOR A DANGEROUS ANIMAL PERMIT; ADDING SECTION 13-1205, DANGEROUS ANIMAL PERMIT; AND PROVIDING FOR THE SEVERABILITY THEREOF.
Body
UPDATE: The City Council met in Study Session on March 1, 2016 to discuss possible modifications to Section 3-118. Exotic Wildlife and Native Wildlife, (e) Any anaconda (species Eunectes murnus), Boidae, and Pythonidae. As result of the discussion, it was recommended that Section 3-118, (e) be stricken from the proposed Ordinance. The Ordinance included in this Agenda Item is as it appeared on first reading. An amended version of the proposed Ordinance will be included for City Council consideration on March 8, 2016.
BACKGROUND: On April 28, 2009, City Council approved the last major review and update to Chapter 3 of the City’s ordinances. The April 2009 update included establishing the number of cats and dogs allowed at a residence and enacting guidelines for kennels. Thereafter, staff began further review of the vicious and dangerous dog and pet license ordinances. During staff’s review, it was determined other sections of Chapter 3 should be updated. Staff’s proposed revisions to Chapter 3 have been presented to local veterinarians, animal welfare groups, the Animal Welfare Oversight Committee and individual citizens. Staff’s proposed amendments were presented to the Council Oversight Committee on September 17, 2015, and at the City Council Study Session on February 2, 2016. At the Study Session meeting, the Council recommended the Ordinances move forward for full Council consideration and directed revisions be made to Sec. 3-118 Exotic Wildlife and Native Wildlife, Sec. 3-202 Duties of Animal Welfare Supervisor and Sec. 3-206 Owner Relinquishment.
DISCUSSION: In addition to amendments to the definition of exotic wildlife and native wildlife and allowing owner relinquishments, staff’s proposed amendments include modifying or adding certain definitions to Chapter 3. Section 3-601-610 are new sections which codifies the behavior of dangerous animals (not just a dog). This codification includes attacks, bites, convictions, and requires dangerous animal permits under certain circumstances. Other amendments include fees and charges, sale and disposition of animals, authority to euthanize, adding refusal to redeem impounded animals, amending cruelty to animals, transportation of animals in open areas of a motor vehicles, at large, confinement of dogs and cats, service animals and the sale of dogs or cats to name a few.
RECOMMENDATION: Based on the above and foregoing, it is the recommendation of Staff that the City accept the proposed amendments and additions to Chapter 3 of the City with the changes discussed by City Council on March 1, 2016 at the City Council Study Session.