Animal Law Overhaul Moves One Step Closer in Laramie

Changes to city animal laws were approved on second reading by the Laramie City Council Tuesday night in a seven-to-one vote. Thirteen amendments were passed to push the overhaul of Title 6 of Laramie Municipal Code, Animals, to a third and final reading.

Laramie Police Chief Dale Stalder spoke on behalf of animal control at the council meeting, saying dramatic changes are needed in three areas to the code, which he estimates has not been altered in 15-20 years. First, Stalder claimed a leash law needs to be added because, "voice control in and of itself is a flawed concept and leashes should be required in all of the city."

Second, a tethering requirement in pickup beds needs to be added for animal safety. Third, the addition of licensing of cats is needed because dog licensing is paying for the cats at the Laramie Animal Shelter. Stalder also mentioned the need to add objective criteria for neglect.

All of the proposed amendments were voted on individually by the Laramie City Council. Two significant amendments failed. One would have increased the number of allowed animals from four to six. The other would have added the phrase, "so that no portion of the animal may touch the bed rails of the vehicle" to the tethering requirements in pickup truck beds.

Before voting on amending the ordinance in its entirety, council members and members of the public stressed the importance of designating dog parks in a timely manner once the new leash law goes into effect. Other concerns discussed dealt with how strictly some of the changes would be enforced and if licensing cats would actually have any effect on the number of stray cats around Laramie.

Coucilor Joe Vitale voted against the amendments. Councilor Klaus Hanson was absent. The next regular meeting of the Laramie City Council will on Tuesday, October 18th.