City council members plan to tighten animal control ordinances after recent increases in the number of dogs being labeled “dangerous” or “vicious” by the city.

Tonight’s city council meeting is set to focus on 13 proposed revisions to Title Three of the Carbondale Revised Code relating to animals. Councilman Chris Wissmann proposed the revisions at the meeting on Aug. 5.

“What exists now isn’t strict enough to facilitate public safety and animal cruelty,” Wissmann said.

Advertisement

All dogs older than six months must be licensed with the city, according to current laws. Under the proposed revisions, those who register non-neutered and non-spayed dogs will have to pay higher fees.

The proposed revisions also include an ordinance that dogs may not be tethered between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.

According to the Humane Society of the United States Web site, dogs that are tethered regularly can become highly aggressive. Dogs are naturally protective of their territory and when they are threatened, they will feel forced to fight and attack any other human or animal that invades it.

Wissmann said he thinks keeping a dog chained to a stationary object and unsupervised for a long period of time should be considered animal neglect. An undetermined fine should be invoked and the possibility of the animal being taken away from the owner should be considered as well, he said.

At the Humane Society of Southern Illinois, located on Route 13 between Carbondale and Murphysboro, dangerous, vicious, and neglected animals are received all the time, said manager Karen Mullins.

“It is extremely important for owners to take proper care of their dogs,” Mullins said. “There are so many cases of children and other people getting bit by dogs that have no prior aggressive history, but then suddenly turn on them.”

Mullins said it is a great idea for the city to enforce more laws to punish owners of neglected dogs and monitor animals that pose a threat to members of the community.

Advertisement*

City Manager Allen Gill said although he does not think there is anything that would ever eliminate all aggressive dog behavior, the ordinance does serve as a safeguard for helping with some of the problems and hopefully the revisions will strengthen them.

“The best thing all dog owners can do is to neuter or spay their animals, register them with the city, and obey the laws regarding confining and leashing their dogs,” Gill said.

The agenda for tonight’s meeting also includes the development plan for a new Aldi’s store on Main Street and the authorization of a new budget for street improvements on the east side of Carbondale.

Jenn Lofton can be reached at 536-3311 ext 273 or [email protected]