Mountain Home City Council begins discussion of new animal control ordinance

The Mountain Home City Council began discussion Thursday night on an updated animal control ordinance. The ordinance repeals several older ordinances and will help regulate animal control in the city.

The biggest change is the repealing of the ban on Pit Bull Terriers. City Clerk Scott Liles did research and found the city has actually banned Pit Bulls three different times, in 1989, 1990 and 1996.The new ordinance would replace the ban with a vicious dog revision which would leave the decision up to the animal control officer. If a pet owner is ticketed for having a vicious dog, they will have to appear in court.

Another change is the number of fowl a city resident can have of their property. Currently there is no limit to the number of fowl a resident may possess. The new ordinance says a “reasonable number” which is up to the animal control officer. A previous proposal to the new ordinance did suggest a limit of 12 birds, but that had since been changed to a “reasonable number”. The limit will be based on housing and containment area available.

Licensing fees will remain $5 per animal over the age of six months which are payable at city hall.

The council will hear the second reading at its next meeting. You can read the complete 11-page ordinance by opening the PDF below.

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