Advance aldermen meet for first time after suspension of dog law

ADVANCE, Mo. -- A large crowd -- the mayor said one of the biggest he's seen at a city meeting -- attended the Advance Board of Aldermen monthly meeting Monday night, the first meeting since the mayor moved to table an ordinance limiting dog ownership.

The ordinance prohibited residents from owning more than two dogs in one household, lawn or enclosure. Because of numerous complaints from the city's dog owners, the mayor tabled this measure after consulting with aldermen only days later to determine another solution to what city officials call "the dog problem."

"I've never seen so many people attend one of our meetings," mayor Carl "Pete" Ritter said as he addressed the crowd of 20-plus.

Ritter said the city will continue to enforce its original dog ordinance, which requires all dogs to be on a leash or confined to a home or other enclosure, until the aldermen have met with a citizen committee formed to discuss the problem and find alternative solutions.

Kim Gramlisch is the head of the committee. She and fellow member Amanda Brooks said one of the solutions they hope the city will implement is a heavier fine for those who violate the city's dog ordinance.

"A number limit isn't the answer," Gramlisch said. "Tougher fines and more enforcement of the rules we have is what the committee has suggested."

Enforcement of the original and tabled dog ordinances has been a problem for the city. One person has been issued four tickets because of nuisance problems and failure to keep her many dogs enclosed, but refused to pay the tickets, city officials said.

The issue was taken to municipal court and the trial takes place today. Ritter said if she is found guilty, the judge can levy a fine anywhere between zero and $500 for each ticket.

According to city attorney Don Rhodes, numerous complaints have been filed and five people -- three residents and two police officers -- will attend the hearing as witnesses. Ritter said he hopes after the trial the city gets "some satisfaction" out of the ruling.

Gramlisch and Brooks said they would like to see the city change the fining system to a minimum of $100 for a first offense, a suggestion that was popular among other residents in attendance. Ritter agreed and said he would even consider 90-day jail time for those with four or more offenses. However, he made a point to defend the aldermen's original ordinance and said they were only trying to act in the city's best interest.

"I don't think you'll find more honest men," he said. "We don't always make the right decision. We're not perfect, but we're trying to do the best we can to help the city."

The board remained mostly silent on the issue throughout the meeting, but Alderman Leeman Shirrell closed the discussion with a promise to work with the community.

"Some people have said the ordinance was a hasty decision, and it may have been," he said. "But we had a large problem. I just ask you to let us work on it and give us time to sit with the council and really work on this."

Shirrell said he hopes to have a solution by the next board of aldermen meeting.

The mayor asked the city police department not to enforce the new ordinance pending the committee's findings. He made the decision after consulting with the aldermen, outside of a posted meeting.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

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Advance, Mo.