Public Safety & Welfare Committee

CITY OF VERONA PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE COMMITTEE OCTOBER 22, 2018 VERONA CITY HALL MINUTES 1. Call to order: Heather Reekie called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 2. Roll Call: Heather Reekie, Katie Kohl and Evan Touchett were present. Also present: Police Chief Bernie Coughlin, City Attorney Bryan Kleinmaier, and City Clerk Ellen Clark. 3. Approval of Minutes: Motion by Kohl, seconded by Touchett, to approve the minutes from the October 8, 2018 Public Safety and Welfare Committee meeting. Motion carried 3-0. 4. Discussion Re: An ordinance amending Title 7, Chapter 1 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Verona, Wisconsin relating to dangerous animals. Chief Coughlin explained that a dog attacked a young girl last summer, resulting in serious injury. The owner of the dog typically kept the dog in the basement, but it was accidentally let out, and attacked the girl. Mr. Kleinmaier explained that this ordinance amendment allows discretionary police department action based on behavior, rather than breed. There are two problems with breed-specific ordinances: they primarily relate to pit bulls, and it is hard to determine what is a pit bull. While pit bull bites can be different than bites from other dogs, and can be worse, a breed specific ordinance can be hard to enforce. The amendment to this ordinance splits Section 7-1-6 into two sections. One section deals with dangerous animals, and an additional section deals with the conduct of animals that do not necessarily rise to the level of dangerous. This ordinance amendment gives the Chief some discretion to take action with an animal sooner rather than later. We want an ordinance that allows the flexibility to step in on the belief that an attack or other incident could occur, rather than wait until it does occur. One of the changes in this amendment is that it includes on-premises incidents. In addition, it does not require multiple (or any) bites from the animal. Mr. Touchett stated that he is concerned that someone could perceive a dog that just wants to play as one that is being aggressive. Chief Coughlin explained that in a case like that, a vet is sometimes involved in determining the disposition of a dog. Mr. Kleinmaier explained that Chief Coughlin makes the first discretionary decision about an animal, then a vet may be brought in. There is a process by which the owner could appeal the decision of the City or Chief. If the owner fights the order, it will go to the Public Safety and Welfare Committee. There will also be a penalties section, in which the fines will be bumped up. 5. Adjournment: Motion by Reekie, seconded by Kohl, to adjourn at 6:10 p.m. Motion carried 3-0. Ellen Clark, City Clerk