BonnerSprings.com

The city of Bonner Springs is making changes to its ordinances in an attempt to euthanize fewer impounded animals, but a local animal rescue group thinks the city should do more.

The Bonner Springs City Council decided to study its animal control practices in response to a request by local nonprofit group Bonner Animal Rescue. On Monday, the council discussed changes that should both save the city money and reduce the number of animals euthanized by working with the Humane Society of Kansas City. But Bonner Animal Rescue volunteers say they want the city to work more closely with their group.

Bonner Springs Police Chief John Haley explained that the changes to the animal control ordinance included amending the number of days impounded animals are held; sending almost all unclaimed animals to the Humane Society at a charge of $30 per cat and $45 per dog rather than possibly euthanizing them; and making spaying and neutering mandatory but offering a breeding license fora $100 fee for those who didn’t wish to spay or neuter an impounded pet.

But Janet Crouch, a volunteer with Bonner Animal Rescue, said the group would like more time to retrieve animals once they are adoptable. She said the group often had trouble trying to get to the veterinarian’s office where impounded animals are kept to adopt the animal before it was euthanized or sent elsewhere.

Crouch and other volunteers asked if the animals could be held longer or if the animal control officer could contact their group before an animal was sent to the Humane Society. City staff said the new city website is updated often enough to inform the group of the status of animals but agreed to try to make any changes necessary to ensure Bonner Animal Rescue volunteers were able to adopt all otherwise unclaimed animals.

“If they are committed to take 100 percent of the animals, we’ll make sure they get them,” said John Helin, city manager.

Crouch said the group was also frustrated that the city would pay the Humane Society rather than using a locally-based not-for-profit.

Haley and Helin said they were more willing to work with the Humane Society because it had a building in which to house the animals.

However, council member Racheal Haas requested that the item be included as a workshop discussion for one of the council’s meetings in February, saying she would like to see the city’s money stay in the city.

The council voted 6-2 to approve an ordinance to amend animal-control regulations, with George Cooper and Jack Knight voting in opposition. Both had expressed concerns that the $100 breeding fee was too high.

In other business, the council:

• Heard Smith proclaim Jan. 6 as Nettleton Manor Day in the city.

• Approved the consent agenda, with Cooper abstaining on check No. 788 in the claims for city operations, due to its relation to his employer, Board of Public Utilities.

• Approved the final plat of Canaan Center Lot 10.

• Approved an alley vacation for University Associates, 520 Morse Ave.

• Conducted a public hearing and approved an ordinance to issue industrial revenue bonds for Sterling Screen Printing/DRI Ink in the total amount not to exceed $1 million for a building expansion, and a property tax abatement.

• Approved a charter ordinance to allow certain city employees the authority to issue notices to appear.

• Approved an ordinance to amend the snow & ice removal regulations.

• Approved 7-1 amendments to the firearms discharge boundaries and regulations. Council member Eric Freeman voted in opposition.

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