(Spirit Lake)– The Spirit Lake City Council adopted an ordinance Tuesday that bans wild animals and Pit Bull dogs from city limits. The Orphaned and Injured Wildlife program, which nurses injured wild animals back to health, is exempt from the ordinance.
Even then, the ordinance is causing a lot of controversy. Several say Pit Bulls are being unfairly singled out…saying other breeds of dogs are more dangerous. Police Chief Jon Martyr disagreed…saying there’s evidence that suggests bites from Pit Bulls are more severe than those from other breeds.
A woman who recently brought a bobcat to town also spoke out against the ordinance. She said she had been told she could keep the animal as long as proper precautions were taken…such as warning signs and a double-fenced cage. However, the new ordinance means the animal would have to go. The woman said that’s not fair and pleaded with the council to reconsider. Mayor Eric Nielsen said he’d be in favor of reviewing the ordinance, but no city council members indicated they’d be in favor of that.
