Broken Arrow City Council
Meeting of: 1-02-2024
Title:
title
Consideration, discussion, and possible preview of an Ordinance amending Broken Arrow Code of Ordinances Chapter 5. “Animals”; and set for adoption
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Background:
The Legal Division of the City of Broken Arrow, in conjunction with the Police Department and the Animal Shelter, have been working together to update City Ordinance related the City’s Animal Code. The following changes have been requested to be made to existing ordinance and were previewed at the last City Council meeting. Council requested a presentation by the Police Department to discuss the need for the requested changes. In addition, based upon the discussions from the last City Council meeting, the dog.cat license fee, registration and tag generally provisions found in Section 5-6 were deleted from the updated ordinance.
Chapter 5. “Animals” of the City ordinances regulates animals within the City limits of Broken Arrow. These amended Ordinances will modify existing language and will clarify issues related to the Animal Code.
Sec. 5-1. “Definitions.” will be amended to add a definition for “adequate shelter” of an animal. This section will also include new examples of a “nuisance animal.”
Sec. 5-5. “Rabies vaccination of dogs and cats.” will be amended to require animal owners to sterilize their pets that are at least six months old, absent a few exceptions.
Sec. 5-10. “Staking, confining or pasturing an animal.” will be amended to restrict a dog owner from tethering his or her dog, unless the dog has access to water and shelter or is supervised by the owner.
Sec. 5-14.1. “Management of dogs, cats, or ferrets that bite a person.” will be amended to address situations when the owner of an animal that has been found to be “dangerous” refuses to properly confine the animal.
Sec. 5-17. “Cruelty to animals generally.” will be amended with additional examples of behavior that constitutes an animal cruelty offense, including intentional harassment and overworking of an animal.
Sec. 5-38. “Destruction or sale of impounded animals; sterilization of adopted dog or cat.” will be amended to list factors the City may consider in refusing an individual’s request for adoption or sale of an animal. Examples include when the individual has a prior record of animal cruelty, has other prior convictions in violation of Chapter 5, or lacks adequate housing.
Finally, Sec. 5-40. “Sale of animals.” will be adopted to address where sales of animals may take place within the City.
Cost: $0.00
Funding Source: N/A
Requested By: Trevor A. Dennis, City Attorney
Approved By: City Manager’s Office
Attachments: Chapter 5 Animal Code with red line strike for Ordinances 5-1, 5-5, 5-6, 5-10, 5-14.1, 5-17, 5-38, 5-40
Recommendation:
recommend
Preview the Ordinances and set for adoption
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