By Anton Riecher
Despite several recent incidents in Devine involving aggressive dogs roaming loose, existing city ordinances limit what action police and animal control personnel can take to deal with the issue, Police Lt. Christopher Andrews told the Devine City Council May 19.
The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure does not permit imposition of jail time for violation of city ordinances such as failure to secure pets, Andrews said.
District 5 Council Member Hal Lance Jr. brought the issue to the council table following a May 1 incident in his district in which a local pet was mauled by a dog roaming loose. Andrews said that animal control took custody of both dogs. Both were later euthanized.
Lance said the incident had left him “pretty upset.”
“I’ve been a pet owner all of my life and I saw a picture of the (injured) dog and it was just outrageous,” he said.
Andrews said video evidence collected by animal control officers from neighbors is being used to put together a case to submit to court. Nine citations were issued covering a total of 12 violations at the scene.
The individual cited in the violations had been warned by animal control several times on previous occasions, Andrews said.
Mayor Butch Cook noted a separate recent incident in which several people walking along Highway 173 were approached by an aggressive pit bull that had escaped its yard. Fortunately, animal control was able to capture the animal without incident.
Lance said that if jail time is not an option the council needs to increase fines for such violations.
“It seems to me the punishment should be as high as it could be,” he said. “You need to make it hurt in the pocketbook.”
Cook asked the city staff to explore potential fine increases via municipal court and emphasize owner accountability in future.
In other business, the council voted 3-0 to approve the appointment of incumbent District 1 Council Member Ray Gonzales to serve an interim term of one year in the same position. No candidate ran for Gonzales’ open seat.
Gonzales originally said a recent job promotion would prevent him from seeking a second two-year term but agreed to serve as interim district 1 council member until the next city election. Gonzales abstained from the council vote while District 3 Council Member Jeff Miller was absent from the meeting.
Issuing the new oaths of office following the May 2 election was postponed until Miller’s return. The council also postponed review and discussion of City Administrator David Jordan’s new contract until Miller’s return.
Golf Course
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