Owners Must Now Pick Up After Pets

Here’s the scoop on the city’s new pet ordinance.

Dog owners now must clean up after dogs that do their business on public property.

By a unanimous vote Tuesday evening, the Coeur d’Alene City Council mandated that people clean up after their dogs. Beginning next Wednesday, not picking up after Fido is punishable by a maximum $300 fine and six months in jail.

The council’s move pleased one of the main protagonists for the measure. “I’m pleased that the council acknowledged the problem, and I’m pleased with the remedy,” Susie Snedaker said.

Snedaker starting pushing for the pooper-scooper regulations after “hours of picking up after other people’s animals,” she said.

Another animal control measure will slither onto the local law books this week. Effective Friday, snakes that could harm children or small animals are banned from public places within the city limits.

Violating the viper and constrictor rules also packs a maximum $300 fine and or six months in jail.

All council members voted for the measure except Susan Servick, who was not at the meeting.

The City Council also expanded an area of town considered to be in deterioration. The area now runs from Blackwell Island on the west to Golf Course Road and Appleway on the north - including the Fourth Street “midtown area.” It stretches east to 11th Street, and is bounded by Lake Coeur d’Alene on the south.

Declaring part of the city to be deteriorating paves the way for the use of tax financing to improve downtown. The council also earlier approved spending $45,000 to hire a consultant to tell Coeur d’Alene how to make the most of its lake-side retail shopping district.

, DataTimes