By Sara QuamThe Luverne City Council is considering enforcing the dog licensing ordinance.Of the estimated 400 dogs in town, just 60 are licensed. On top of that, the city pays for its own pound that costs between $5,000 and $6,000 a year.About 40 dogs and cats combined are impounded each year. Part of the pound’s cost is euthanizing and disposing of animals that aren’t claimed after a week.The estimate of the number of dogs came from the city’s meter reader, who goes to each household and made notes on regular rounds. The city may contact people who have unlicensed dogs and ask them to follow the ordinance.The council may adopt fees for licensing at a future meeting. The proposed fees are $8 for neutered or spayed and $15 for non-neutered or spayed. City Administrator Greg LaFond said, "We could look at making a penalty high enough where there’s some incentive to license."Otherwise, he said that the ordinance isn’t worth much.The penalty for non-licensure was suggested to be set at $150 plus a $30 administration fee. The ordinance would be enforced through administrative citations or Rock County Sheriff’s Department.Councilman Bob Kaczrowski said, "For the number of animals we impound a year, is it worth upsetting 400 people?"LaFond said the city could decide not to concentrate on bringing in money to fund the cost of the pound and just drop the pound.Mayor Gust said, "I say we shut down the pound and send a letter encouraging people to license their animals."Councilman Pat Baustian said, "It’s clearly identified in state statutes that it’s not a city responsibility."Licensing dogs isn’t just for the city’s benefit. People whose dogs are lost can be returned, and everyone is reassured that animals have up-to-date vaccinations.
