Planning Commission debates dog issue

By CHARITY SMITH

csmith@yourdailyglobe.com

Wakefield — The Wakefield planning commission went back and forth on the issue of limiting the number of dogs that a person can have at a residence, during a lengthy work session on Monday, Nov. 20.

The original plan was to limit the number of animals to two dogs and two cats, or a combination thereof not to exceed four animals. Then Mayor Dale White suggested simply putting the brakes on the issue of the number of dogs. The commission then returned to limiting the number of dogs when councilman Cal Shirkey said he would like to make it four dogs and two cats.

The planning commission debated the issue for an hour and half, but could not come to a consensus on the number of animals to be permitted in a residence. One of the complicating factors was the issue of whether or not to allow special use permits for residents who have sled dog teams.

City Manager Robert Brown said that in order to allow special use permits for dogs, the requirements to get the permit must be established as the ordinance is written.

“The part that we would have to hone in on is what requirements would have to be met in order to get that permit. So, if you have six dogs on an eighth of an acre verses 30 acres, it might change it. So do you want to restrict the zoning it goes into? Do you want to base it on strictly the acreage of the parcel? Do you just want to leave it alone and just say this is our limit?” said Brown.

White asked if there were any requirements from the state for sled dogs. According to Brown there is not, only for kennels. The commission expressed concern that someone could claim their six or eight dogs were sled dogs when they weren’t.

Brown said that he is under the impression that most sled dog owners have their teams incorporated. He said that perhaps they could require the dog owners to produce their incorporation papers in order to receive the special use permit. Brown said that the commission needs to define what a sled dog is and any rules and regulations for them. He said they should also put language into the ordinance that says that special use permits are revokable if the dog owner is not following other rules and regulations for large amounts of dogs that would be stipulated in the ordinance.

Commission member Mike Zeckovich suggested they leave off the number of animals and focus on vicious characteristics. One animal can cause one problem, he said. “Does putting the number of animals you should have into play really put into perspective what we are trying to do to control it?” he asked. “I don’t see it as really beneficial.”

Commission member Marco Movich said they were talking about two different issues — sled dogs and pets. However, the commission questioned how they could separate the two issues.

According to White, the commission decided to look into regulating the number of dogs following an incident in August where a dog killed another dog and complaints of noise because of dogs.

The Gogebic County Sheriff’s Department has issued 26 warnings and 14 citations for dog related issues in the area, according to Brown. He said that the owners can be charged criminally or civilly for any infractions and it is up to the sheriff’s department to decide whether to write a citation or not.

As more and more possible situations were considered, commissioners considered more discussions at a later date on the issue. At one point, White suggested that they just “pump the brakes” on the issue of the number of pets allowed at a residence, and then circled back to limiting residents to four animals.

Brown said he will be bringing the commission two drafts of the ordinance to consider. He said it will come down to a vote on the limit or no limit of animals.

The ordinance will require animals to be on leashes and a 10-day hold after a biting incident to allow time for the courts to consider punishment for the animal, he said.