PUBLIC HEARING

CITY OF ASHLAND

 

ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE

 

MARCH 20, 2006

 

 

     A Public Hearing was held on March 20, 2006 at 4:00 P.M. in the Ashland City Hall Auditorium.  The purpose of the public hearing was to receive comments on an ordinance providing for the control of certain animals and providing penalties for violations of its provisions. 

 

     Mayor Pro-Tem Bobbie J. Steed opened the hearing.  Council Members present were Zeola D. Echols, Gail E. Thompson, Rebecca G. Boddie and Mike Beale. Also, in attendance was Asst. City Clerk Donna J. Bennett, Police Chief Derrick Forbes, Asst. Chief Chris Mathews, AHA Investigator Tony Knight, Fire Chief Randy Mitchell, Maintenance Supervisor Randy Hanners, Code Enforcement Officer Terry Raughton, Officer Jason Gentry, Officer David Martin, James Roy Smith, Don Ingram, Penny Vaughan, Brandon Ingram, Kim Crist and Glenell Smith.  (Sign in sheets attached)

 

      Mayor Pro-Tem Steed called the hearing to order and opened the floor for comments.

    

      Don Ingram introduced himself as a member of the Alabama Humane Federation.  Mr. Ingram stated that they wanted to commend the City of Ashland for putting together this ordinance and the attempts made to help control animals in the community.  Mr. Ingram stated that there were several items that were not in the ordinance that he felt should be looked at.  He went on to state that the Alabama Humane Federation had written a “Vicious dog law” that was passed by the Alabama Senate and at this time was before the Alabama House of Representatives for consideration.  This will be considered a state leash law.  Mr. Ingram also stated that he wished that the City of Ashland, before approving this ordinance, would look at the above mentioned “Vicious dog law” and an ordinance from the City of Huntsville. Mr. Vaughan went on to ask that this ordinance not be approved at this time, until all issues were addressed.

 

     Mr. Ingram introduced his daughter Penny Vaughan also a member of the Alabama Humane Federation in charge of rescues in the state.  Ms. Vaughan stated that there was not anything noted in the proposed ordinance concerning shelters for the animals.  Code Enforcement Officer Terry Raughton addressed this issue by explaining to contract with the City of Sylacauga and the proposed shelter that will be built after the ordinance is passed. He went on to explain that the shelter in Ashland will only house the animals for five (5) days.  After these five (5) days, and the animals have not been claimed by their owner(s), they will then be transported to the facility in Sylacauga where they will stay hopefully to be adopted, but if not will be taken care of in a humane way.