Kennel complaint drives Millville council meeting ‘to the dogs’
September 28th, 2011 Posted in OpinionMILLVILLE — Public comment concerning a kennel license compliance issue took center stage Thursday at the City Council meeting. Jessie Floyd, a neighbor of Lisa Shaw, complained about the noise and odor problems arising from the dogs kept in her backyard.
“The smell is atrocious,” Floyd said. “I can’t be in my backyard anymore.”
Although the limit for the number of dogs stated in the kennel license is six, Floyd said that he has frequently counted up to 20, and gave pictures to council members showing at least 15.
Floyd maintained that he was not the first to complain about Shaw’s dogs and Mayor Mike Johnson agreed, saying “we’ve been aware of it.” The mayor said that Animal Control Officer Kenny Eggleston had been enforcing the restrictions on the kennel license.
“It is only after my expense that [Shaw] is now compliant,” argued Floyd. “I don’t expect herculean efforts. I do expect compliance.”
Shaw, who was not at the meeting, was contacted for her response to Floyd’s accusations, but could not be reached by deadline.
Floyd said he didn’t think neighbors should have to be responsible for enforcement of ordinances, and that he didn’t want to “be the Gestapo.” He proposed that a kennel ordinance be put into place that would include restrictions and regular assessments by an inspector from the Bear River Health Department. He said that if his requests were not met, he would be compelled to pursue legal recourse toward Millville city.
The council agreed to add discussion of the ordinance as it stands to their agenda for the next meeting.
NW
Tags: city council, dog complaints, kennel license, Millville
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