City council members are getting closer to introducing an ordinance they say will make it easier for law enforcement officers to respond to complaints about noisy pets.
At-large Democrat Steve Patterson first told Athens City Council members at their June 23 committee meetings about perceived problems stemming from the city’s unnecessary noise ordinance excluding barking dogs and meowing cats.
After discussing the issue with the Athens Police Chief Tom Pyle and Law Director Pat Lang, Patterson brought the issue up again at Monday night’s committee meeting. Patterson reported that the latest version of his drafted ordinance would allow APD officers to respond to noise complaints of outdoor animals and would give them the authority to post a fine to the door of property owners if they are unavailable.
Second Ward Democrat Jeff Risner opposed Patterson’s ordinance, saying that he didn’t see how the ordinance solved any problems that weren’t already covered in the city's current noise ordinance.
Risner also said APD officers should focus on responding to higher-profile incidents, like violent crimes or burglaries.
But Third Ward Democrat Michele Papai countered by saying that Patterson’s ordinance wouldn’t necessarily tie up officers from responding to those calls.
“I think the police chief is looking for another tool in his tool belt,” Papai said. “And here's what the tool is.”
Papai’s son, Will Drabold, is the campus staff editor at The Post.
Athens residents spoke to council members Monday night, saying they thought the ordinance didn’t go far enough — specifically to stop dogs from barking loudly indoors. At least one of the speakers lobbied for forcing pet owners to take their animals to obedience classes if they receive too many citations.
