Davidson County residents cited for animal offenses could soon be required to attend a pet owner school, if a bill on the June 16 Metro Council agenda is adopted.
The animal offender school would tag a $65 charge to any other fines handed down to pet owners by Metro’s Environmental Court, a division of the county’s General Sessions Court.
“Honestly some folks do not understand basic animal care,” said the bill’s sponsor, District 8 Councilwoman Karen Bennett. “This would cover animal offenses along with abuse issues.”
The bill is written to cover offenses like the licensing of dogs, cruelty to animals and dogs running at large.
Bennett said her discussions with environmental court officers showed that some dog owners who are cited simply need to be educated in order to prevent future offenses.
Metro Animal Control officers will run the school and attendance will be mandatory, should the court decide it is appropriate for offenders.
Already the bill has passed first and second reading and is anticipated to be adopted by Council next week.