Department: Legal
Staff Contact: Ron Shaver and Daniel Yoza
Subject: Consideration of Ordinance 19-59 amending Title 8 of the Olathe Municipal Code pertaining to Animals.
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Item Description:
title
Consideration of Ordinance 19-59 amending Title 8 of the Olathe Municipal Code pertaining to Animals..
Body
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Summary:
This Ordinance was presented to the Council as a report on September 17, 2019. Every summer, staff prepares updates to certain provisions of the Olathe Municipal Code (OMC) to align them with state law. Staff typically consults with the League of Kansas Municipalities (LKM) to identify which provisions of the OMC need to change. This year, LKM undertook the task of reviewing all state criminal statutes, and providing suggested language to add every state misdemeanor that may be included as a municipal offense. Staff has reviewed these recommendations, and has prepared Ordinance 19-59 (Attachment A) which adds the following provisions to Title 8 of the OMC (Animals).
Section One adds the offense of Illegal Animal Ownership, which is owning an animal any time within 5 years of a conviction for dogfighting or cruelty to animals.
Section Two amends the present offense of Cruelty to Animals to add all applicable state exceptions to the offense.
Section Three adds the offense of Permitting a Dangerous Animal to be at large. This has been a state provision for many years but is a new addition to the OMC Title 8.
Section Four is the only provision in this ordinance that is not based on state law. It requires resident finding dogs running to bring them to the animal shelter. This change was recommended by staff at the Animal Shelter to increase efficiency in connecting owners with their lost dogs.
The ordinance also includes technical amendments to clarify and improve language.
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Financial Impact:
None
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Action Needed:
Approve Ordinance 19-59 amending Title 8 of the Olathe Municipal Code pertaining to Animals.
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Attachment(s):
Attachment A: 2019 Animal Ordinance