Politics & Government

Aldermen Put Electric Fences Back in Play for Dog Control

The electric devices could be used in back yards, but dogs would still have to be tethered or leashed in front yards. The board votes on the final measure at its next meeting.

The Wentzville Board of Aldermen amended a proposed animal control ordinance Wednesday to allow electric fences to contain dogs in back yards.

The previous bill would have required a physical fence to contain dogs, and those with electric fences still would have needed to keep their dogs leashed or tethered.

The amendment passed by a 5-1 vote. The bill’s second and final reading will be at the board's March 14 meeting.

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If approved, the legislation would repeal the city's current restrictions on pit bulls and put in its place a breed-neutral policy that puts the burden of securing vicious or aggressive dogs on the owners. 

Other amendments to the animal control bill include:

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  • Dogs in the front yard must be on a leash or tethered so they cannot reach sidewalks, public areas or common ground regardless of whether an electric fence is used;
  • A sign must be posted stating an electric fence is being used.

(For more on the legislation, see .)

In discussing the electric fence amendment, Ward 1 Alderman Leon Tow asked how the city could tell responsible owners who put up electric fences that they wasted their money.

“Numerous people in our city went out and bought and paid for electric fences,” Tow said. “You have lots of places where you can’t put up a fence, so you can’t let your dog out to run?”

Ward 2 Alderman Vann Sample voted against allowing electric fence to contain dogs.

“A lot of backyards back up to golf courses, common ground and schools,” Sample said. “I don’t want to be responsible for a dog attacking a child because they broke through an electric fence.”

Dan Marshak, vice president of Invisible Fence, told the board that older electric fences shocked dogs only up to 10 feet beyond the fence.

“With (newer) invisible fences, it continues for 300 to 400 feet. He’s got to get back inside the fence,” Marshak said.

Resident Scott Marks said he has two dogs and had an electric fence installed two weeks ago.

“More dogs get out of a physical fence than an electric fence in my neighborhood,” Marks said.

Marks also didn’t like the fact that dogs would need to be tethered or leashed in front yards, because some people might not pay for an electric fence in front yards. He said if the issue is containing an animal, a dual zone is needed.

“Otherwise, a child opens the door and that dog’s going to run out the front,” he said.

However, Ward 2 Alderman Chris Gard said he didn’t think requiring a fence in the front yard is necessary.

“What we’ve done with the (proposed) ordinance is that we added specific penalties for specific situations,” Gard said. “A dog at large or a nuisance dog that clearly is out of the control of its owner calls for a fine.”


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