First Offenders of 'Animal at Large' Ordinance May Get Fees Reduced

At the Jan. 16 regular meeting, the Wentzville Board of Aldermen will be looking a change to the new animal control ordinance that it adopted in March 2012.

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The city's municipal judge requested a revision to allow him leniency in sentencing and imposing fines on first-offender owners found in violation of the "animal at large" portion of the ordinance.

The proposed change would allow the judge to take impoundment fees that have already been paid into consideration when he imposes punitive fees on the offender.

The new ordinance would add the words: ". . . the Court, in its sole discretion, may order the fine to be reduce in an amount equal to part or all of the Impoundment Fees already paid by the owner or controlling person."

The bill will require a second reading and a vote before final passage.