CLEARLAKE >> The Clearlake City Council approved the first reading of an animal control ordinance that would amend the related section in the municipal code.
According to City Manager Greg Folsom, the current legislation is incomplete because the city didn’t fully manage animal control services until the SCPA terminated its contract in October. In order to properly handle the transition, rules regarding adoption, impounding, and redemption of pets and other animals need to be clarified, he added.
“We need to try to adopt out as many animals as possible,” Folsom said.
If passed, those seeking to adopt animals must pay spay/neutering and proper adoption fees. Some animals would also be released to official non-profits like animal shelters.
Additionally, the times for reclaiming lost, unregistered animals would increase and would be measured in “business days” not hours. However, the official start of that timeline was not confirmed.
During public comment, one resident complained about the plethora of stray dogs on the streets.
“I see stray dogs on a daily basis,” he said, adding that he’d like to see more patrols.
Councilman Bruno Sabatier expounded on the canine problem, arguing that unauthorized puppy breeding creates most of the city’s animal control headaches. He added that he’d like to see the ordinance also call for the impoundment of animals unlicensed to breed.
The vote was unanimous, 5-0.The ordinance will be brought up again at the council’s next regular meeting.
