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Show Dog problem is obvious, but solution isn't by KICK BROUGH staff writer Everyone agrees there is a dog problem in the Park City-Synderville area. But when Park City representatives representa-tives met in Coalville last week with the Summit County Commission, the solutions were not obvious. "It comes down to a manpower problem," said Commissioner Stan Leavitt. But Commissioner Tom Flinders argued, "IF the law was enforced, two men (the present number of county animal control officers) would be enough." The county commission met again Wednesday morning with Justice of the Peace James Kilby to discuss complaints by county animal control officer Barry Shoda that Kilby is reluctant to enforce dog ordinances. Kilby told the commission there is a dog problem, but he had heard no public outcry in his court and said the issue has been blown out of proportion. The judge said he would continue to work for better enforcement, but added he had no "magic formula to solve the problem. "I want to get along, but I'm going to refuse to let those (animal control) officers in and run my court. " Commissioner Stan Leavitt said the county is not telling him how to run his court. He said the commission is confident in Judge Kilby. In last week's meeting, Park City Manager Arlene Loble said county enforcement of laws against loose dogs has been good in the past, but it has weakened in the last year and a half. She said Park City residents let their dogs run loose every weekend, because they know the dogcatchers will not be around. She suggested higher fines could be levied for offenses. Commissioner Tom Flinders also advocated more severe punishment because many of the dog owners are , multiple violators. The dogs are picked up, he said, "but the animals are out on the street before the animal control officer gets back in the car. Either it's gonna cost a big fat lump of money to get the dog back, or the dog is destroyed." Leavitt said penalties are determined deter-mined by the discretion of the local judge. "The judge is a pretty independent guy and he does what he pleases, when it comes down to it." Shoda has complained that Judge Kilby has too often dismissed cases of dog violations. Last week Loble said the county could refer cases to the circuit court. The Record has spoken to Circuit Court Judge Frank Noel, who said he would accept dog ordinance cases. However, he said he would like to know more about the controversy over Kilby. Also last week, Leavitt asked if Park City would provide more ' manpower to the animal-control department or provide compensation for it. Mayor Jack Green told him, "We want to cooperate. But we have the population and we are all county residents, so we don't feel we should be taxed again." t - ; i |
