City Commissioners discussed and heard a first reading of a potential ordinance that would eliminate the ability for property owners to keep pets on vacant lots within the City during Monday’s regular meeting. The Protect Our Pets Ordinance would require that habitable structures with active utility service be present on a lot for pets to be kept on the property. If property owners had multiple lots and wanted to keep pets on a lot separate from the residence, they would have to have the lots legally combined first. The ordinance was presented as a first reading without action to allow time for public feedback, with the issue to likely be considered for potential adoption during the next regular commission meeting in April. “This pet ordinance is the first step in a potential multi-step process to help clean up vacant lots in the city,” Assistant City Manager Joe Warren said. “It just so happens that we can also help address pet safety at the same time, and that gives this specific ordinance added urgency.”
Source: City of Atchison
