Iolans soon will be prohibited from keeping their dogs tethered to chains or leashes when kept outdoors. THE COUNCIL terminated the employment of Kelly Rouse from the Electric Distribution Department — following a 10-minute executive session — effective immediately. No reason was given.
Instead, all dogs must be properly penned, City Council members decided.
The Council directed City Administrator Carl Slaugh Monday to amend the city’s animal control policies, including the ban of leashes, chains or other restraints.
The changes came after an emotional appeal from former Mayor Bill Maness, who has reported on a neighboring dog that has been kept on a chain for more than two years, even during the hottest summer days and coldest winter nights.
“The animal’s a prisoner, and all it wants to be is a pet,” Maness said.
The new policy will require all pens be at least 100 square feet — 10 by 10 — and offer protection from harsh weather.
Slaugh will rewrite the ordinance for final approval.
In a related matter, the city soon will take measures to control wild animals in town.
Up to now, it has been up to residents to hire pest control agencies or others licensed to capture animals such as foxes or raccoons.
Councilman Steve French said he has received an increasing number of reports that wild critters have taken up residence in empty buildings, sheds and under houses, particularly in the middle of town.
Sean Turner, LaHarpe, a licensed nuisance wildlife controller, has offered to remove animals at a cost of $35 for small animals, $45 for larger ones.
Council members voted, 5-0, to allocate up to $2,000 annually to have the animals removed.
“We’ll use it until the funding runs out,” French said.
Council members Jon Wells, Nancy Ford and Bob Shaughnessy were absent from the meeting.
Councilmen accepted the resignation of Jessica Fossdick from the city’s utility office and approved annual evaluations and subsequent pay raises to eight other employees.
City puts collar on leash law
