How many pets is too many? That's one of several issues Clinton city leaders are looking at as they look to change the animal ordinance and possibly impose a limit of 10 pets per house.
Regulations like that vary from city to city. DeWitt has a maximum of five pets per household. In Camanche the limit is up to four. Davenport is also up to four, but it can't be more than three of one kind. Moline's ordinance limits four cats or dogs, as well as no more than two rabbits. Bettendorf and Rock Island do not set limits, which is the same with how Clinton is now. That is among several elements in the ordinance overhaul that is getting attention.
Revising animal regulations in Clinton has been in the works for several years now. Since, in 2009, when an issue with a vicious dog brought to light holes in city pet policies. "The council became the deciding body to whether the animal was vicious or not," said Mayor Mark Vulich.
Residents got their first chance to give input to council Tuesday. Some brought up questions on animal rescuing, enclosures, and transporting animals. "No animal shall be transported in bed of pickup truck or open top vehicle. Has this been considered caging for all types of vehicles?" asked council member Jennifer Graf.
'There are some issue where there's no provision allowing invisible fence as a method of restraining your animal," added Mayor Vulich.
There was also discussion over the maximum 10 animals with that being any combination of dogs, cats, or ferrets. Hoarding cases are rare, but can be excessive. The idea is to cut down on nuisances and animal safety issues. "I don't think there's bad animals or bad dogs. There's bad owners. The animal is only as good as how they're treated," said Vulich.
Clinton Humane Society Operations Manager Sandi Bartels says she considers even 10 animals too many, but questions how the city will crack down. "The Clinton Humane Society feels that no stipulation should be put in place if it cannot be enforced," said Bartels.
There is only one city animal control officer and Mayor Vulich says there's no plan to increase staff. He also wants to see a grandfather provision for people who may already have more than the proposed maximum number of pets.
The ordinance is headed back to the drawing board. Council members voted Tuesday to send it back to the rules and regulation committee for more tweaking.
