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Ms. Bettman reiterated Mr. Kelly's desire to see a common code language with the County. She <br />recommended addressing animal issues through the committee formed by Commissioner Dwyer. She <br />expressed her specific concern over enforcement of leash laws and issues of solid waste in parks. <br /> <br />Ms. Bettman suggested the code language read "owner/guardian." <br /> <br />Mr. Papd said most of the complaints he heard were regarding dangerous dogs and dogs off-leash. He also <br />stressed the importance of enforcing existing laws. <br /> <br />Ms. Nathanson said the council needed to spend its time on things where it could be effective. She stressed <br />the importance of practicality and effectiveness and added that services from the City should not overlap <br />those provided by other organizations. <br /> <br />Ms. Taylor said she was in favor of the term "guardian" rather than "owner." She said she had received <br />complaints that the leash law was enforced too much. She raised concern that complaints over barking dogs <br />needed no proof for the owner to get a citation. She believed that some existing rules were too strict and <br />suggested forming a committee with the County and the City of Springfield and expressed her willingness to <br />be the council representative. She said the City should be enacting laws to protect dogs and dog owners and <br />not punish them. <br /> <br />Mayor Torrey said the City of Eugene should not be getting involved in protecting people's pets. <br /> <br />Mr. Kelly reiterated Ms. Nathanson's concern over duplicating services that were already available. <br /> <br />Regarding cat licensing, Mr. Kelly opined that it was worthy of further study. He remarked that it was not <br />unheard of to license cats or regulate them in some way. <br /> <br />Mr. Fart commented that the council had spent too much time in discussing the item. He reiterated previous <br />comments regarding barking dogs. He was not in favor of licensing cats. He urged the council to finish the <br />discussion. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner said a cat licensing program did not seem worthwhile. He raised concern that Ms. Taylor was <br />talking about protecting barking dogs and dogs off leashes. He stressed that the impact from these animals <br />was reducing the quality of life for surrounding neighbors. <br /> <br />In response to a question from Mr. Meisner regarding a loan program for live traps, Mr. Wellington said there <br />were State regulations for the trapping and relocation of animals and added that the County did not want to <br />impose on those regulations. <br /> <br />In response to a question from Mr. Pap~ regarding the proposed committee on animal issues, Mr. Wellington <br />said there was going to be a task force rather than an advisory committee. He said this would enable staff to <br />handle problems more quickly. He said there would be representatives from Eugene, Lane County, the <br />Judicial System, non-animal affiliated citizens, and veterinarian agencies. <br /> <br />Mr. Pap~ suggested directing City Manager Jim Carlson to return to the council with a proposed ordinance <br />limiting the number of large animals that could be housed on a city residence. <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 8, 2002 Page 5 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br /> <br />