Sunman Town Board gets tough on loose animals
Cathy May - Contributing Writer
The Town of Sunman is laying down the law regarding
pets roaming free. After several months of complaints of dogs
and cats running loose, the town board decided to do something
about it. As of January 1, all dogs and cats within the town
limits of Sunman must be licensed. License tags must be obtained
at the town hall at a cost of $2 and will be valid for one
year.
The Sunman clerk-treasurer will keep a record of all dog and
cat information along with the names and addresses of their
owners. Dogs and cats more than six months old must have rabies
shots. Licenses will not be issued without proof they have
received the rabies shot.
The new law also provides that animals must be properly cared
for and secured on the property. If an animal is off the property,
they must be restrained with a leash.
Excessive barking or noise, molesting passerbys, trespassing
or damaging property will be considered a nuisance. Owners
must not allow their pets to defecate on any public or private
property unless it is disposed of properly.
Animals found running around the town can be seized and placed
into custody. If the animal possesses a license tag, the owner
will be notified by mail and given 10 days to claim the pet
before it will be considered abandoned. Any animal that is
not tagged or claimed within three days will be considered
abandoned.
Dale Einhausen is the current dog catcher for the town. Others
able to enforce the ordinance include the town marshal and
deputies, town employees, and any other designated person.
Fines will be imposed. If your pet is picked up, it will cost
you $25 for first-time offenders, $50 the second time and $75
the third time. After the third time, the fine could be as
much as $2,500.
At the next council meeting on December 15, a public hearing
will be held regarding a Community Development Fund Grant.
This grant is to help the town purchase the building it is
now using as a town hall. The town needs 57 more income surveys
to be completed.
The town has been videotaping sewer lines, although they were
not able to get through four areas because of roots. Hannum,
Weigel and Cline will help
the town decide which repairs are needed most.
Carl Bruns, utility
superintendent, said they were behind in street repairs because
of other projects. He expects they
probably won't get caught up until next summer.
