Posted: 5/31/05
Animal control tops city concerns
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
Animal control issues were at the forefront of the Caledonia City Council meeting on May 23.
The first issue stemmed from complaints over barking dogs owned by Gary Sand, 714 South Winnebago Street. Sand received a letter May 21 informing him that he must remove the dogs from the premises by May 25 or they would be removed by the animal control officer.
Sand told the council that he has four coon dogs on the property. He said two of the dogs are responsible for the barking. He asked if he could move two of the dogs to a location outside the city, and keep the other two in town.
ěThe other two have been in town two years and there have been no complaints,î he told the council.
He asked the council to let him try to solve the problem by removing two of the dogs, and he agreed to remove the other two if the barking problem continues.
ěI donít want to put them down, but will if I have to,î he told the council.
The council agreed with the request.
In another matter related to dogs, the council was made aware of two dogs owned by Randy Rose of 318 North First Street. One is a black lab, the other a yellow lab. The black dog is reported to have chased children, and in one case acted aggressively towards a man who was walking by. The police were present when the last incident occurred.
The dogs are currently being housed by animal control officer Mike Gavin. He said he would not object to Rose picking up the yellow dog.
ěGiven the location, itís a dangerous situation,î said Gavin. Rose lives next to Veteransí Memorial field.
Councilman Paul Fisch moved to designate the black lab as potentially dangerous. In order to keep the dog, Rose must have him restrained at all times, house him in a kennel that has roof to prevent escape, and post signs warning of the dangerous nature of the dog. The motion passed.
In another matter, the council discussed a request from Gavin for a lifetime rabies shot.
Gavin said he learned of the shot at a meeting of animal control officers. The vaccination consists of three shots, and costs about $600.
Gavin explained that the possibility of him contracting rabies from skunks, bats, raccoons or other wild animals is higher than for other employees.
The motion to approve the shot passed 4-1 with Randi Vick opposing. She said she wanted a firm price on the shot before approving.
Residents upset over water bill
In other news, the council tabled a request from Patrick and Holly Dvorak to reduce their utility bill at their former residence, 803 South Pine. The Dvoraks said that the home was vacant from Novemebr 15, 2004 to February 28, 2005, and yet their water and sewer bill was over $500.
Tony Klug of the city water department demonstrated to the council how a water meter works, and said he doesnít know how the meter could turn without water running through it. He said that he would pull the meter and check for defects. Any further action was tabled until the Dvoraks could be present.
The discussion brought up the issue of whether the city should adopt new technology for reading meters, such as remote reading. Klug said he would research some possibilities.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com