20160208_180027_828The Guthrie Center City Council voted 4-1 to table the second reading of a controversial dangerous/vicious dog ordinance Monday night. Councilor Steensen was the lone ‘nay’ vote.

The decision came after a recommendation from Sheriff Marty Arganbright, Mayor Denny Kunkle and a crowd of about 30 residents in attendance.

In a letter to the Council, Arganbright called the proposed breed specific legislation “extreme”, noting that laws detailed in Chapter 55 of the City’s ordinances already adequately cover the issue of vicious animals.

One contentious piece of the conversation left to settle is that of insurance. Under the proposed ordinance, owners of numerous breeds of dogs would need to carry a $100,000 liability insurance policy for that animal and comply with various other safety stipulations. Chapter 55 currently has no mention of insurance. Councilor Patrick compared the importance of insuring a dog to insuring a car, noting that it benefits not only the insured, but everyone else in the vicinity of the animal as well. Resident Becky Patterson expressed her concern that all of Guthrie Center’s dog owners may not be able to afford the insurance.

The Council is expected to re-address the issue at their February 22nd meeting.

You can read the letter from Sheriff Marty Arganbright below. You can read Chapter 55 of Guthrie Center’s ordinances by clicking here: http://tinyurl.com/jfl6ypu

sheriff letter-page-001

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