Edina City Council Opts to Modify Animal Control Ordinance
By Crystal Howerton
The Board of Alderman met on Wednesday evening, May 28, 2008 in a special meeting to discuss the controversial Pit Bull/dangerous dog issue effecting citizens in Edina.
Having reviewed a sample ordinance regarding the prohibition of Pit Bull and Rottweiler dog breeds, which was recently adopted by the City of Baring, Council members further discussed the issue inviting input from Freddie and Jeanne Bailey. Jeanne reported that another Pit Bull attack had occurred recently on Bee Ridge road in Knox County. An agreement was made to modify their current animal control ordinance by banning additional Pit Bull and Rottweiler breeds within the city limits of Edina, as well as providing regulations for the above breeds currently established and modifying dangerous dog (any breed) regulations.
A motion was made to direct the city attorney to draft modifications to the City’s current ordinance including Section 1 Definitions (clarifying Pit Bull and Rottweiler breeds), Section 4.3 Confinement Indoors (particularly screen windows and doors), Section 4.5 Insurance, Section 4.6 Identification Photographs, and all of Section 5 Prohibiting Pit Bull dogs and Rottweiler dogs. Absent were Aldermen Craig Miller and Donnie Davis. Mayor Davey Strickler noted that he was in complete support of the Council’s decision. Council members are aware that this is a time-sensitive issue and they intend to progress
In addition, Council members heard from Superintendent of Utilities Mike Wriedt concerning the Knox County Nursing Home District’s request for water flow and pressure measurements, and which entity would foot the $350 engineer costs. According the Wriedt, the City does own a flow tester for their purposes, but Wriedt, not being an engineer, is not qualified to provide official readings. However, an unofficial test has revealed that the City’s does not have the ability to support necessary water flow for the nursing home’s request. Therefore, it was the consensus of the Board that Wriedt contact KCNH Administrator Tim Schrage and inform him that after performing their own test, they are quite positive they are not even close and it would not be necessary to proceed with testing.
