by Kim Hilsenbeck
Dog owners in Kyle who keep their pets tethered outside do not need to build fences just yet.
City Council opted to hold a public hearing on a proposed ordinance that would ban tethering rather than vote on it at Tuesday’s meeting.
Mayor Lucy Johnson brought the issue to the new council, which now includes Samantha Bellows-LeMense and Ray Bryant, after it failed to gain traction last year.
The proposed ordinance would require dog owners to put up a minimum four-foot high fence around a portion of their yard. Tethering or chaining would not be allowed – with a few exceptions, such as during training or quarantine.
Mike Fulton of Kyle was one of two residents who addressed the council about the issue. He contends that state law is adequate to ensure dogs are not abused or chained all the time. He cautioned the council to think carefully about the laws it enacts.
“Making laws more restrictive than they need to be so they can be enforced more easily is a very poor way to legislate,” Fulton said.
Fulton also said better enforcement of current laws, even if it means hiring a second animal control officer, would help the dogs more than the proposed ordinance.
Mayor Lucy Johnson said state law, while well intentioned, is not enforceable as a city. She said tethering is a form of animal abuse.
Gary Rush of Kyle urged Council to not adopt the ordinance.
“It would be an enforcement nightmare,” Rush said.
Kyle only has one animal control officer and Rush said her plate is full.
Briana Brecher, Kyle’s sole animal control officer, told the council her main concern with the ordinance is low-income residents.
“Fences are expensive,” Brecher said.
The financial aspect of the proposed ordinance also concerns Fulton, who has three dogs.
“Outlawing chaining will undoubtedly place a higher burden on those who can least afford it,” Fulton said.
Brecher also cited issues with areas like Sunset Ridge, which does not allow fences.
She would like to see some things changed in the proposed ordinance because they don’t make sense to her.
Council voted 6-1 to hold a public hearing on the issue before voting.
