An ordinance updating Havre's pet regulations will conclude its four-month journey to City Council next week.
The council’s Ordinance Committee sent the legislation to be voted on by the Council Monday, after spending the summer discussing and revising four drafts.
The final version divides problematic animals three groups, with respective levels of possible punishments. Under the ordinance:
• If an animal is frequently loud or makes people in the vicinity uncomfortable, it is a nuisance animal. The first violation in this category brings a $50 fine.
• If an animal is destructive, harming or attempting to harm people, property or other animals, it is an aggressive animal. A first violation warrants not only a $100 fine but also a requirement of the owner to provide proof of $100,000 in liability insurance. This requirement would be satisfied by homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance.
• If an animal is destructive, but in a “vicious or terrorizing manner, ” it is deemed to be a vicious animal. The first fine for this offence is $300, and and the owner must provide proof of $200,000 in insurance.
The ordinance will be voted on at the City Council meeting on 7 p. m. Monday, Sept. 20.
The Ordinance Committee also resumed discussion of an ordinance on trees, recommended some changes and decided to take up discussion again at the next committee meeting at 6 p. m. Thursday, Sept. 30.
An ordinance updating Havre's pet regulations will conclude its four-month journey to City Council next week.
The council’s Ordinance Committee sent the legislation to be voted on by the Council Monday, after spending the summer discussing and revising four drafts.
The final version divides problematic animals three groups, with respective levels of possible punishments. Under the ordinance:
• If an animal is frequently loud or makes people in the vicinity uncomfortable, it is a nuisance animal. The first violation in this category brings a $50 fine.
• If an animal is destructive, harming or attempting to harm people, property or other animals, it is an aggressive animal. A first violation warrants not only a $100 fine but also a requirement of the owner to provide proof of $100,000 in liability insurance. This requirement would be satisfied by homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance.
• If an animal is destructive, but in a “vicious or terrorizing manner, ” it is deemed to be a vicious animal. The first fine for this offence is $300, and and the owner must provide proof of $200,000 in insurance.
The ordinance will be voted on at the City Council meeting on 7 p. m. Monday, Sept. 20.
The Ordinance Committee also resumed discussion of an ordinance on trees, recommended some changes and decided to take up discussion again at the next committee meeting at 6 p. m. Thursday, Sept. 30.
Because, lookee here, if an animal "makes people uncomfortable" it is a nuisance animal, and can cost your neighbor $50 any time you feel like it. That'll show 'em, huh! Teach'em to not smile at you, won't it. You bettcha it will! It's the LAW now. They better be nice. OR ELSE.
If an animal is "destructive, harming, or attempting to harm people, property or other animals" that's an agressive animal and will cost your neighbor $100 and force them to get a $100,000 insurance policy.
I thought that forced, legally mandated insurance was the big objection to Obama's HealthCare Bill? But, no, we actually agree with that part of Obama's plan. You can force it on your neighbor now? Oh Boy! We can really get 'em now. We can run 'em right out of town if we want.
I can say that the neighbor's dog was chewing on the baseball bat I threw at him. That's destructive! And if it growls at me I can say it has a "vicious and terrorizing manner" and it'll cost the neighbor $300 and force him to buy $200,000 worth of insurance.
Now we're talking. There won't be another dog within 3 blocks of me after a few months of this ordinance. Now that's government in action. Havre will finally be a great place to live. For me anyhow! I can't wait.