Menlo Park council OKs new law on animal control Menlo Park council OKs new law on animal control (December 07, 2005)

By Rory Brown

Almanac Staff Writer

The Menlo Park City Council decided it's better for San Mateo County, rather than the city, to enforce and pay for local animal control measures.

At its November 29 meeting, the council unanimously approved amending the city's animal ordinance to reflect recent changes made to the county's ordinance.

The changes were approved by the county Board of Supervisors in response to recent attacks and killings by vicious dogs in the Bay Area. Local towns must amend their ordinances to reflect the county's changes, or they will be forced to cover the costs of any services carried out by the Peninsula Humane Society (PHS).

PHS serves the 20 cities and unincorporated areas in San Mateo County, investigating reports of animal cruelty, picking up stray animals and enforcing laws that protect animals and people.

Among the changes to the ordinance was a broadening of the definition of a "dangerous animal" to include an animal that threatens a person or animal. Under the county's ordinance, dangerous animals cannot reside in households with children under the age of 18.

Rick Saletta, a member of the Dog Owners Group of Menlo Area (DOGMA), said the language is too broad, and could break up a family and its pet.

The Menlo Park council had asked Mr. Saletta and other concerned dog owners to work with Police Commander Mark Boettger to refine the language before the city changed its ordinance.

If Menlo Park adopted changes proposed by DOGMA representatives, the city would have to cover its own costs for animal-control services, as it would stray from the county's ordinance, Mr. Boettger said at the November 29 council meeting.

Several council members encouraged Mr. Saletta and other DOGMA members to address their concerns to the Board of Supervisors.

Final approval of the ordinance will be delayed until the second week in January to give DOGMA representatives the opportunity to address the board, unless there's a cost to the city for the delay.

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