Consideration of a proposed ordinance to amend the Animal Control Ordinance for the City of Jackson passed 6-2-1, during the monthly City Council meeting at City Hall, Tuesday.

A new Jackson City ordinance went into effect Sept. 1, 2019, in an effort to cut down on the over-population of animals in neighborhoods. The new ordinance required pet owners to spay or neuter their dogs and cats within 30 days after their pet’s six-month birthday.

Residents who did not want to spay or neuter their pets had the option to apply for a waiver from the City’s Animal Care Center. The permit fee is $20 per pet per year.

Grant and permit applications are also available at the Animal Care Center, 23 Pinnacle Drive.

Jackson’s new ordinance, which was passed by the City Council on June 4, 2019, provided exceptions for police dogs, search and rescue dogs, service dogs, herding dogs, livestock guardian dogs, hunting dogs, and show dogs with certification from the American Kennel Club.

Other exceptions were made for shelters and boarding facilities or pets with a letter from a vet.

Spaying prevents a female animal from reproducing. Neutering prevents male animals from reproducing.

Female cats can breed three times a year and have an average of four kittens per litter, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

Dogs can breed twice a year with litters of six to 10 puppies. In just seven years, one non-spayed female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 kittens; one non-spayed female dog and her offspring can produce 97,000 puppies.

Each year, approximately 1.5 million shelter animals in the United States are euthanized, the ASPCA says.

Additionally, the City Council –

Passed a Proposed Budget Amendment in the amount of $50,732, which will fund the City’s match for Airport Economic Development Grant.

Passed a Proposed Budget Amendment in the amount of $80,000 to recognize the Jackson Police Department’s JAG Grant, which pays for a special prosector for gang enforcement.

Elected Johnny Dodd vice mayor for FY 20-21.

(PHOTO: Jackson Police Chief Julian Wiser, right, discusses the JAG Grant during City Council meeting)

David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS
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