Leash tightened on animal control law

By By Mitch Freeman Madison County Record
The loss of a resident's pet cat from injuries inflicted by an unrestrained dog has resulted in the adoption of a stronger city animal control ordinance.
A vicious or dangerous dog is now defined as "a dog that has a tendency to attack or endanger the safety of people or other domestic animals, a dog that attacks people or other domestic animals without provocation, or any dog whose purpose is to fight."
The ordinance makes it illegal for dangerous dogs to run loose or to own or train dogs for fighting or attacking.
It also provides for quarantine of any dog known by city animal control officers to have attacked or bitten a person or domestic animal, per a veterinarian's advice.
Violation of new dangerous dog laws is $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second offense, and $500 for the third or habitual offense.
In other recent city council business:
* A Sept. 23 public referendum was set to determine if the legal sale of alcohol will be extended to portions of Madison that are located in Limestone County.
* Payment of bills totaling almost $150,000 was approved. Civil Solutions, LLP will be paid $14,700 for services related to Wall Triana Highway improvements. Lee Builders will be paid $77,517.36 for construction of the new outdoor pool at Dublin Park. Chynoweth and Kennedy will be paid $720 for services related to the police department expansion project. Burleson Pools will be paid $45,030 for services related to the new outdoor pool at Dublin. Chynoweth and Kennedy will be paid $10,870 for services related to the Fire Station No. 3 project.
* Two project change orders to increase construction contracts with Lee Builders were approved. The contract associated with the new outdoor pool at Dublin Park was increased by $3,570.47 to raise the contract value to $367,238.99. The contract associated with the Fire Station No. 3 project was increased by $83,067.36, raising the contract value to $660,990.44.
* The mayor was authorized to enter into a contract with Arlington Property, LLC for the purchase of 10 acres for $100,000, on which a combination police, fire department training facility will be built. Councilman David Buschmann said the property owner is giving the city a good deal, since the property is valued at an estimated $250,000 and. He also said Madison County has agreed to clear the property at no charge.
* Public hearings were set for property rezoning: property owned by Heritage Plantation from agricultural to medium density residential, property near Foothill Court owned by Louis Breland from agricultural to low density residential and property west of County Line Road owned by Speigle Moss Development, LLC from agricultural to zero lot line residential.
* A new agreement with the city of Decatur to jail Madison inmates was approved. Madison will save $1,600 per inmate, per month. Decatur negotiated lower food costs.
* Council President Jim Reagan announced that police and firefighters will be the recipients of a $68,000 wellness and fitness grant.