Animal fines on the rise?

DUNKIRK — Steeper fines to combat animal control problems won approval from city council members Monday night.
Councilman Eric Bowler said the city’s new tranquilizer gun had already been used on three animals, but fines for stray animals should probably be increased when it proved necessary to tranquilize an animal.
The gun uses darts and chemicals which have to be replaced after each use, Bowler explained, adding that he personally used the gun to tranquilize a dog recently that was interfering with mail delivery service in town.
The fine should be higher if a dog has to be tranquilized, Bowler said. City attorney Bill Hinkle explained that the fine could be increased to cover the cost of using the gun.
After more discussion Councilman Craig Faulkner made a motion to increase the cost for a first offense of letting a dog run loose from $15 to $25. A second offense would be $50 and a third offense would be $75. Also a $25 additional fine would be levied if the tranquilizer gun was used, bringing the totals to $50 for a first offense, $75 for a second, and $100 for a third offense. In addition the cost of boarding an animal at the city pound was increased from $5 a day to $10 a day.
Faulkner’s motion was approved unanimously, and Hinkle was directed to draft an amended ordinance with the higher fees for approval at the next council meeting of April 11.
Bowler said his instructions to the animal control officer and police is are to, “Ticket everybody — no matter who owns the dog.” He added, “I told them to write tickets, write tickets, write tickets.”
In other action at Monday night’s council meeting, city street department superintendent Howard Fisher presented cost estimates from three companies regarding paving and repairing streets and alleys. Fisher had a list of 22 locations where repairs were needed as a result of a roadway being damaged in the process of making water line repairs. He also listed one location where repairs were needed as a result of work on a sewer project.
However, council members questioned the need to do some of the projects. Also Hunt asked that an additional quote be sought for repair work on Lincoln Avenue.
Following further discussion the matter was tabled in order to obtain more information.
“I don’t think we’re ready yet,” commented Bowler, the councilman in charge of the street department.
Councilman Chuck Rife agreed, adding that at this point the council has established some priorities — notably West Commerce Street between Main Street and Meridian, including the roadway in front of the post office and Dunkirk American Legion Post 227.
In other business at Monday’s meeting, council members:
•Approved a 10-year preventive maintenance agreement for the city’s 300,000-gallon elevated water tank with Leary Construction Co. of Greenfield. The cost will be $9,800 a year with Leary responsible for cleaning and waxing the interior of the tank as part of the yearly agreement this spring.
•Authorized payment of $2,400 for pump repairs at the wastewater treatment plant by Culy Construction and Excavating of Winchester. Rife and wastewater treatment plant supervisor Tim Kesler recommended that the work be done.
•Approved the use of city workers to demolish and clean up debris from a vacant building on Mount Auburn Street. This will be done under the supervision of city health and safety officer Jack Robbins.[[In-content Ad]]