Cda Studies Limits On Pets That Do The Darnedest Things Ban On Snakes In City Park, Pooper-Scooper Law On City Council Agenda

Perhaps this will go down in history as the low end of the work load.

Rules regulating snakes and forcing people to, well, scoop up after their dogs are on the docket tonight at the City Council’s regular meeting. Mayor Al Hassell is the force behind the reptile restrictions after hearing from more than two dozen people who fear a walk in the park might turn into something out of “The Jungle Book.”

“We don’t have dogs in the parks, why should we allow snakes?” asked Hassle. “It’s reasonable not to have anything in the park that’s a hazard.”

The exotic snakes that occasionally appear on the shoulders of area residents can wrap themselves too tightly around people. Some snakes are so strong that two men couldn’t pry them away, Hassell said. The mayor also said he believes snakes shouldn’t be allowed in the water near City Beach, or adorning people walking down the street.

The proposed ordinance will ban any snakes capable of harming or killing children or small animals.

The moment snakes slither off of the agenda, however, the council will have to face the stinky business of “pooper scooper” regulations.

“It’s common sense to clean up after your own dogs,” Hassell said. “Common sense isn’t very common anymore.”

The council’s General Services Committee gave tepid reception to the proposed “pooper scooper” rules.

Members of the committee expressed concern over who would enforce the rule, and whether cats should be included as well.

The council also will consider expanding the boundaries of Coeur d’Alene that are being declared “deteriorated and continually deteriorating” in order to qualify for urban renewal financing. A few weeks ago the council voted to declare the area bounded by Blackwell Island on the west, 11th Street on the east, Miller Avenue to the north and Lake Coeur d’Alene to the south.

Now city officials are proposing to extend that to include property along Northwest Boulevard to Golf Course Road, as well as the so-called “Mid-town” area along Fourth Street.

In other business the council will:

Consider approving the purchase of four new police cars.

Decide whether to hire an architect for the new police station.

Consider ordinances regulating wireless telephone repeaters.

Vote on a land exchange with Kootenai Investment Co.

, DataTimes