Tulsa City Councilor Gets Earful Over Animal Ordinance Proposal

Lacie Lowry, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Tulsa city councilor Jim Mautino has agreed to form a task force to look at his proposed changes to the animal ordinance.

Mautino met with the council and the public Friday morning over his proposal to change the city of Tulsa's animal ordinance. Mautino invited all council members and the public to revisit the discussion after an explosive committee meeting on Tuesday.

7/20/2011 Related Story: Proposed Tulsa Animal Ordinance Change Leads To Dogfight

Numerous rescuers, foster parents and show and hunting dog enthusiasts attended the meeting, united in the concern that limiting the number of dogs in certain homes is unreasonable.

"Don't punish everyone for the actions of only a few," said one citizen.

A city of Tulsa ordinance states that a hobbyist exemption permit prohibits commercial breeding. A rescuer may keep more dogs and cats than stipulated if the rescuer gets a private kennel permit from the city and the signatures of two-thirds of their neighbors who live within 300 feet.

The Oklahoma Alliance for Animals believes rescue and foster programs will suffer the most from those changes

"It's probably not a reasonable amount to allow us to continue good work and save lives in Tulsa, save the city money," said Shelli Holland-Handy, Oklahoma Alliance for Animals.

Councilman Mautino stated on Wednesday that he believes some people are taking advantage of the hobbyist exemption permit by using it to cover up what's really a breeding operation.

Mautino said he plans to put the task force item on the city council agenda for Thursday, July 28.

All city council members are automatically on any task force and Mautino said he also hopes to include representatives from various animal agencies.

The task force will look at the current ordinance, look at Mautino's proposal and enforcement before moving forward with any changes.