Scott City will review vicious animal ordinance

Scott City will review its ordinance covering vicious animals and ask the owner of a pit bull to build a privacy fence, Mayor Tim Porch says.

Porch made the statements in response to the concerns of three residents who came before the city council Monday. Mike Job, Dee Gettings and Esther Henson live in the Chapman Circle neighborhood near the pit bull.

They worry that the pit bull could jump over the fences that contain it.

The group of neighbors complained about the dog a few weeks ago. Since then, the owner has erected a buffer fence and some members of the council have visited the house to gauge whether the dog is vicious.

Councilman Norman Brant said he petted the dog but said it later became very agitated and tried to bite through the wire fence when another dog appeared.

Porch said he opposes changing the ordinance to ban certain breeds and hopes a privacy fence might provide a solution.

"If it doesn't see what's on the other side of the fence, maybe it doesn't become vicious," Porch said.

The neighbor who owns the pit bull also has a Rottweiler, but the residents said it does not react to neighbors and passers-by in the threatening way the pit bull does.

In other business, the council:

Agreed to pay maintenance for three streetlights needed along Route N for the new Park Estates subdivision being built by developer Monty Keesee. Union Electric has agreed to put in the lights for free. Maintaining each streetlight will cost the city $504 annually.

Authorized the placement of new stop signs on James Street.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182