Document text
http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 24, 2007 Central Point rules not to ban exotic pets Pets deemed a nuisance could be ordered removed By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT — The City Council has decided not to ban exotic pets, but to reserve the right to prohibit animals that are deemed a problem. An existing pet ordinance was called under review in recent months when the city received a complaint regarding a pet bobcat owned by Blue Grass Downs homeowner Nick Kessler. The council on Feb. 8 reviewed the revised ordinance language, which listed specific types of pets including wild cats and raccoons that would be prohibited inside city limits. After testimony from a half-dozen residents, the council gave preliminary approval for the ordinance but requested several changes, including omission of a long list of animals to be banned. With the changes, the ordinance was OK'd at a meeting Thursday night. City Administrator Phil Messina said council members were "not comfortable specifying types of exotic animals to be prohibited." Advertisement "They basically cropped the reference to regulating exotic animals," Messina said. The ordinance includes a specific ban on farm-type animals, including horses and roosters, though rabbits and hens will be exempt. In answer to concerns about exotic pets that could prove dangerous, the ordinance allows for any pet deemed a nuisance, due to odor or noise, or found to be aggressive, to be ordered removed from the city. For example, an aggressive dog or a pet bobcat causing noise or odor problems could be addressed by city code enforcement on a case-by-case basis. As for dogs, the new ordinance includes language requiring dogs be on a leash when on public property and that owners can be cited for failing to clean up after their dogs. Councilman Bruce Dingler said he hoped the changes would address any issues that could come up. Dingler was opposed to listing specific animal types to be banned. "We opted not to name certain animal types, because when you start listing those things, pretty soon somebody says, 'Well, how about this and how about that?' " Dingler said. "The bottom line is you can't please everybody. You just have to use some common sense." Councilwoman Kay Harrison agreed with Dingler and said the issue had taken up more council time than necessary. "You can't please everybody, so you have to do the best you can to balance it out so you're protecting everybody," she said. "Rights are really good but sometimes when you stand up for your rights you're trampling somebody else's. Basically we don't want anybody else endangered by somebody else's pet." The revised ordinance takes effect in 30 days. Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected]. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help