At what was scheduled to be the last meeting of 2012, the Fort Smith Board of Directors debated the city's animal control ordinance.
The discussion included identification requirements for dogs and prohibiting animals to ride in open-air vehicles unless they are crated. The heavily debated topic was new fines for residents whose dogs are picked up by animal control officers.
The Animal Services Advisory Board, made up by Fort Smith residents, recommended a warning for residents the first time their dog is picked up by an animal control unit.
However, the board proposed stricter penalties for first time offenders. Board members voted 4-3 to amend the ordinance to include a $100 fine plus $65 in court fees.The fee is waived if the dog is spayed or neutered or if the resident has their dog fixed within 30 days.
"What the board was looking to do was create an incentive for people to have their dogs spayed or neutered without mandating that the animals be altered," said City Administrator Ray Gosack.
City Director Kevin Settle voted against the amendment and the ordinance. He says accidents happen, and people should be given a second chance.
"The committee's recommendation was very good," said Settle. "It gave a warning shot the first time. It didn't matter if [the dog] was altered or not altered, and I thought that was very fair to the citizens. It gives them an opportunity to say, `Hey, I had a problem, and now I know how to fix it.'"
Settles is worried a fine for first time offenders may be counterproductive.
"They may decide it's cheaper just to leave the dog [at the Humane Society]," he said.
Dog owner Greg Perkins agrees with the fine for first-time offenders. "The funds have to come from somewhere," he said. "For those not taking care of their responsibilities, they're going to have to pay for the mistakes that they make."
According to Settle, the city has a contract with the Humane Society so taxpayers are already paying for these services. "So there's no reason to add another fee for something that's a warning issue."
City directors will continue to discuss the issues at special meetings scheduled for Friday, Dec. 21 and Thursday, Dec. 27.