Advance, Mo., ordinance limiting dog ownership repealed

ADVANCE, Mo. -- The short-lived Advance dog ordinance that limited ownership to two dogs per household officially has been repealed by the city's board of aldermen.

The ordinance went into effect March 18, but enforcement was suspended by Mayor Carl "Pete" Ritter less than a week later after numerous complaints from the city's dog owners.

The board held a special session last week, at which members listened to suggestions form a citizen committee formed to address the city's problems with sanitation, barking and other dog-related nuisances.

Ritter said he hopes to see a new ordinance approved at the board's next monthly meeting, scheduled for May 20. City officials still are reviewing the committee's list of suggestions, he said, but he's optimistic a solution soon will be found.

"What we'll probably do is put more 'teeth' into our original ordinance," Ritter said.

The original ordinance requires all dog owners to keep pets on a leash or confined to a home or other enclosure, or face a fine of up to $500.

Ritter said the new ordinance would not limit ownership, but probably would levy heftier fines on those who violate the ordinance.

Pertinent address:

Advance, MO