CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY EYES NUISANCE-CURBING REGULATIONS

When Cape Girardeau County officially becomes a first-class county in January, among the advantages will be the power to pass local ordinances to deal with local needs, rather than relying entirely on applicable state laws.

One such set of ordinances that will likely come before the county commission will deal with regulating nuisances in the county ranging from littering to animal control.

Both of these are problems for the county. Some country roads have sprouted eyesores as the result of nearby dumping. These trash heaps not only are unsightly, but they pose possible health problems as well. The problem with animals running at large also comes before the commission from time to time, particularly from schools that aren't inside any city's limits.

The county already supports the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri's animal shelter to the tune of $6,900 a year. This is to cover the shelter's expenses in dealing with animals that are brought in by county residents. If the commission decides to crack down on the animals-at-large problem, it would probably mean hiring a nuisance officer which, in turn, could increase the number of dogs going to the shelter from unincorporated areas.

The fact that the county commission is talking about the potential for nuisance control at this times indicates a willingness to get feedback from the public regarding the idea. While some county residents prefer as little government regulation as possible, others may see a need for some official action regarding garbage dumps along county roads and dogs that pose a threat to schoolchildren and other rural residents.

If the county decides to pass an ordinance regulating nuisances, it can be hoped that the commission will use common sense and good judgment in finding ways to address the problem without overly burdening citizens with local laws that go way beyond the scope of the problem.

Creating a mechanism that would allow the commission to respond when residents complain about loose dogs or unwanted garbage, however, makes sense.