(Spirit Lake)– A new vicious animal ordinance is going on the books in Spirit Lake.
The city council voted to adopt the measure Tuesday evening following a third and final reading.
While the ordinance doesn’t ban certain breeds of dogs that are identified in the ordinance as being dangerous, it does spell out strict requirements that must be met by owners.
The vote to adopt the ordinance wasn’t unanimous. Councilman Jeff Thee cast the lone dissenting vote. He says it puts too much faith in some owners who simply aren’t responsible or just don’t care. Thee fears it could still open the possibility for an attack, adding the council’s top priority should be that of public safety.
Thee is hopeful the council won’t have to revisit the issue in the future, adding…”The only reason it would come back up down the road is if we ever had an incident. As I said before it’s one of those few times in my life where I hope everyone else is right and I’m dead wrong.”
The council had been working on the ordinance for months, hearing feedback from the public and making various revisions to what had been originally proposed.
