Animal Ordinance AmendmentMEMORANDUM
February 25,2002
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Animal Ordinance Amendment
Public Health Specialist Mary Rose Corrigan is recommending a change to the Animal
Ordinance, effective July 1, 2002, raising impoundment fees to $30.00 for the first
impoundment and $60.00 for the second impoundment within a 365-day period.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Mary Rose Corrigan, Public Health Specialist
TO:
FROM:
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
Michael Van Milligen, Manager
Mary Rose Corrigan, Public Health Specialist
February 26, 2002
SUBJECT: Animal Ordinance Amendment.
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to submit for your consideration an Ordinance
amendment allowing animal impoundment fee increases.
BACKGROUND
Dog or cat owners claiming animals impounded for running loose by the City have always
paid impoundment fees. The fees were last increased in 1998 to $25.00 for the first
impoundment and $35.00 for the second impoundment within a 365-day period. By
examining Animal Control impoundment records, it is clear that the $35.00 fee for a second
running loose offense may not be enough of a deterrent for pet owners to correct their
pet's actions. Last year's records reveal eighteen dogs were impounded on multiple
occasions.
A review of other cities' impoundment fees indicates that Dubuque's fees are Iow,
especially for the second offense.
DISCUSSION
The Health Services Department is recommending the animal impoundment fees for
animals running loose be raised from $25.00 for the first offense and $35.00 for the second
offense, to $30.00 and $60.00 respectively. This would be effective July 1, 2002.
RECOMMENDATION
it is recommended that the City Council approve the attached ordinance amendment
increasing animal impoundment fees.
BUDGET IMPACT
it is anticipated that impoundment fees collected will increase by 58% from $5400 to an
estimated $8560.
ACTION STEP
It is recommended that the City Counc approve the attached ordinance amendments.
ORDINANCE NO. 17-02
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF
ORDINANCES ESTABLISHING A FEE FOR THE REDEMPTION OF SEIZED OR
IMPOUNDED DOGS AND CATS BY INCREASING THE FEE FROM TWENTY-FIVE
DOLLARS ($25.00) TO THIRTY DOLLARS ($30.00) AND BY INCREASING THE FEE
FOR A SUBSEQUENT IMPOUNDMENT OF THE SAME ANIMAL WITHIN THREE
HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE DAYS FROM THIRTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($35.00) TO SIXTY
DOLLARS ($60.00).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Section 7-23(a) of the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances is hereby
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 7-23. Redemption.
Except as otherwise provided, the possession of any licensed dog or cat seized or
impounded pursuant to this adicle may be obtained by the owner by paying
impoundment fee of thirty dollars ($30.00) plus the separate daily fee for keeping such
dog or cat each day or fraction thereof during the time that such dog or cat is
impounded. Upon the second subsequent impoundment of the same animal within
three hundred sixty-five (365) days, an impoundment fee of sixty dollars ($60.00) shall
be assessed, plus the separate daily fee for keeping such dog or cat each day or
fraction thereof during the time which said dog or cat is impounded.
Section 5. This Ordinance shall take effect July 1, 2002.
Passed, approved and adopted this 5th day of March, 2002.
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC, City Clerk
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor