WELLSVILLE - Village Council tabled two ordinances requested by animal control officer Leslie Dean at its meeting Wednesday, with members saying they wanted to review them first since they were distributed just prior to the meeting.

One ordinance would establish regulations regarding the redemption by their owners or keepers of dogs seized and impounded by the animal control officer under village ordinance.

The legislation provides that a dog can be released to its owner, keeper or harborer within 72 hours of its impoundment upon payment of all fees and costs involved with its seizure, including the cost of a license if it has none.

Fees and costs outlined in the ordinance are:

- Seizing and impounding a dog: first offense, $10; second offense, $25; third and subsequent offense, $40

- Housing and feeding, per day: $5.

All fees paid would be placed in the general fund.

The second ordinance includes amendments to the village's existing ordinance concerning the ownership and control of dogs.

The amendment adds some additional regulations pertaining to licensing, including requiring all dogs to wear a valid tag at all times unless constantly confined to a kennel.

Any dog found without its proper license will be subject to seizure, impoundment, sale or destruction.

Also prohibited under the amended legislation is owning a dog with a fictitious, altered or invalid tag.

Anyone violating any of the regulations would be deemed guilty of a minor misdemeanor, with each day's violation constituting a separate offense.

Not changed in the revised ordinance were other provisions that include requiring all dogs in the village to be inoculated against rabies, to be kept in clean and wholesome conditions, to be licensed and to be confined with a leash while on the sidewalk or streets and under control and, if tied, not to be able to stand or roam on any sidewalk or street.

Dean's monthly report for Sept. 23 through Oct. 23 showed she responded to 27 calls, with four dogs taken to the village pound, three of those transferred to the county pound and one returned to its owner.

Among calls she answered were five dogs running at large; one dog bite; three abuse and neglect cases; two dogs hit by cars; three lost dogs and four found dogs; three barking dogs; one dead animal, and one cat issue.

In another matter, it as reported during the meeting that residents who need leaves picked up can rake them to the edge of the street and they will be picked up by village street employees.

Village Administrator Jim Saracco told Councilman Joe Soldano when he inquired about implementing such a program that it already is being done.

Soldano also asked about replacing lights outside Village Hall, with zoning Administrator Rick Williams saying he checked, and replacement globes would cost between $400 and $1,000 each.

Councilman Don Brown said he had seen cheaper versions at a Steubenville store, and Soldano advised looking for something less expensive and getting the lights operable again.

Williams reported a zoning board meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Nov. 12 at Village Hall to discuss a variance request for the St. Francis Animal Center to use a building in 18th Street Heights as a dog shelter. The board also will reorganize at that time due to new members.

jgilbert@mojonews.com