October 6, 2022 |
Rawlins City Council gave final approval Tuesday to an amended ordinance regarding nuisance and vicious animals. As during the first two readings, council waived the reading of the amended ordinance, which makes it a misdemeanor to keep or harbor a pet that attacks people or other animals. A sliding scale of penalties include fees, neutering of the animal, insurance coverage and ultimately forfeiture of the offending pet.
In lieu of reading the lengthy ordinance, City Attorney Gwendolyn Wade summarized the changes for the governing body.
Pictured above: File photo of Rawlins City Hall. Photo by Cali O’Hare/Bigfoot 99.
During the first two readings, Wade said the amendment was necessary because the municipal court had ruled that that the existing ordinance was too vague to be used to prosecute owners of animals that had attacked city residents. Councilwoman Jacqueline Wells said the amendment gives police and the courts legal authority to prosecute people who do not secure their dogs.
The amendment to Title 6 passed third and final reading with six “yeas.”
