Florissant City Council Take on Animal Ordinances in Public Work Session

Tuesday night, the took on two animal issues during its public work session.

The council discussed the issue of dogs at large and other animals as well as neighbors consent to exotic animals.

A few weeks ago, the council postponed a vote on Bills 8831 and 8832 that would amend an ordinance concerning animals running at large. The first order of the council Tuesday night was to address animals who are loose on a property.

Ward 7 Councilwoman Jackie Pagano brought her fellow councilmen copies of a St. Peters ordinance that allows for an invisible fence. The invisible fence is a battery-operated collar that would send a shock to a dog or pet who attempted to go outside of a property line.

Ward 3 Councilman Joe Eagan and Ward 2 Councilman John Grib both agreed that a sign in front of the property acknowledging a restrained dog could be good for residents who are scared to approach the property versus a possible invisible fence or electric fence.

Public Works director Lou Jearls said that enforcement of making sure “animals at large” could be problematic as employees could have a hard time noticing whether a dog has an invisible fence. In addition, he said that there’s no way to test or check in the field if an invisible fence was or wasn’t working if a dog is found to be “at large.”

Ward 1 Councilman Tim Lee said that he would agree to an amendment similar to St. Peters’ ordinance concerning an invisible fence.

City Clerk Karen Goodwin said she would draw up a substitute bill.

Getting Neighbors in on the Act

The next part of business addressed exotic animals and neighboring houses agreeing to them.

Eagan pointed out that there could be some cases where neighbors who dislike each other could disapprove of a neighbor having an exotic animal such as a chicken or duck. He suggested that a petitioner have two-thirds of the neighbors in agreement for possible consideration of approval.

Ward 6 Councilman Pat Stinnett said it could be easier to say a majority of neighbors have to agree to a petitioner having an exotic animal versus two-thirds.

Lee suggested the language for Bill 8832 could be added to say, “applicant must certify they’ve notified all contiguous property owners and have written consent of majority of property owners” for an exotic animal application. All of the council agreed.

Both bills will be discussed at the council’s Aug. 13 meeting.