**ALERT** Spencer, Iowa

[MeSheLL]

**ALERT** Spencer, Iowa
Posted by: "lor" [e-mail] presdlcc
Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:38 am (PDT)


Please send your polite and respectful opposition to breed specific legislation, as well as educational materials to the Spencer city officials listed below:
City of Spencer
418 2nd Avenue West
Spencer, IA 51301
PH [phone]
FAX [phone]

spencer@smunet. net

CITY MANAGER
Robert Fagen
418 2nd Ave. W.-Spencer, IA 51301-Phone: [phone]

CITY CLERK/CITY TREASURER
Donna Fisher
418 2nd Ave. W - Spencer, IA 51301 - Phone: [phone]

CITY ATTORNEY
Donald Hemphill
215 Grand Avenue - Spencer, IA 51301 - Phone: [phone]
E-mail: hemphill@nwiowa. com

MAYOR

Reynold Peterson
1604 4th Ave East
Home: 712/262-9255
Office: 712/580-7200

CITY COUNCIL
Ward One
Voting Place: Public Library George Kruger
911 East 3rd Street
Home: 712/580-1219


CITY COUNCIL
Ward Two
Voting Place:School Admin Building Edward J. Krebs
728 2nd Avenue East
Home: 712/262-3963

CITY COUNCIL
Ward Three
Voting Place: Nat'l Guard Armory Steve Bomgaars
1608 3rd Ave East
Home: 712/262-3698


CITY COUNCIL
Ward Four
Voting Place: Clay Co.Admin Building Randy Swanson
1205 Country Club Lane
Home: 712/580-8247
Office: 712/262-6953

CITY COUNCIL
Ward Five
Voting Place: South Park Mall Ron Hanson
707 5th Ave.S.E.
Home: 712/262-7748


CITY COUNCIL
At Large
Rich Prentice
809 8th Avenue East
Home: 712/262-2947
Office: 712/262-3230

CITY COUNCIL
At Large
David Scott
1210 4th Avenue West
Home: 712/262-3278
Office: 712/262-1630

City enters into first vicious dog ordinance discussion
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 ~ Updated 8:59 AM
By Randy M. Cauthron, Managing Editor

First filing on changes to the "Vicious Animals Ordinance" was unanimously approved at Monday night's Spencer City Council meeting, but not before an extended discussion clarifying just how the changes would be enforced and what animals would be directly impacted.

Concerns were raised by Amy Clark, a veterinary assistant at Homestead Small Animal Practice as well as a dog trainer, regarding the specific breed targeting as suggested in the ordinance language, identifying breed specific dogs that would meet the definition of a vicious animal: A Staffordshire Terrier breed, American Pit-bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or any dog which has the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the breeds of Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit-bull Terrier, or American Staffordshire.

"Who determines dangerous dogs?" Clark questioned.

"The problem is with responsible ownership…not the breed," Clark insisted.

Clark owns a pit bull, that has received "Canine Good Citizen" distinction. She and her husband have a young child in the home, and claims that by treating the animal correctly and "keeping it socialized" the animal is just fine.

"They really do make good pets," said Clark. "It's been a loved member of our family for seven years."

Ward Five Councilman Ron Hanson said he was surprised to see the breeds mentioned in the ordinance.

Steve Bomgaars, Ward Three councilman, pointed to his own research on the matter which indicated that between 500,000 and 800,000 dog attacks annually require medical attention, and that five percent of hospital visits are a result of dog attacks.

Bomgaars noted that 67 percent of dog attack fatalities involve the vicious dogs outlined in the ordinance.

"There have been more and more incidents this summer than I can recall," Bomgaars said, saying that police have identified many of the dogs as having "pit bull characteristics. "

Bomgaars also cited Veterinary Association information that indicated certain breeds are hereditarily vicious.

According to Bomgaars, the city's responsibility is to protect the children, elderly, and having a little fun with Councilman Hanson, postal carriers as well.

Clark noted that the Veterinary Association is also 100 percent against "animal bans."

City Attorney Don Hemphill said, "This is not a ban. This applies specifically to dogs at large."

According to Hemphill, if these dog breeds are found at large, they may be treated as vicious animals under the ordinance.

The council voted 7-0 on the first filing and are expected to revisit the matter two more times.

The ordinance also clarifies when an animal may be destroyed.

http://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/story/1446601.html

Jodi Preis
Bless the Bullys
Education... Awareness. ..Advocacy
Because preaching to the choir makes a small church.