Bluefield OKs tougher rules on animal abandonment
The Bluefield Board of Directors approved the second reading of an animal abandonment ordinance Tuesday. The amended ordinance specifically deals with the issue of those citizens who relocate to another residence in the city, but leave their cats and dogs behind.
'This just adds additional ammunition for our animal control officers to deal with people who are not properly caring for their animals, and are not actually living with the animals, but keeping the animals somewhere separate and far from where they live,' City Attorney David Kersey said.
Bluefield has had a number of cases over the past two years of people moving from one residence to another and leaving their animals behind without proper food, water and care, according to City Manager Cecil Marson.
'We've had over probably the last year a couple of cases where folks actually own property, but they are not actually living in the property and they have their animals there,' Marson said. 'It's unacceptable, and the language in the original ordinance was somewhat vague on what the authorities and what legal rights we had to seize those animals. So this ordinance has been done in a manner to make sure we clear that up so our code enforcement and animal control teams and our police force can act if necessary if we see any type of mistreatment of animals.'
The amended ordinance was approved by the board on a second reading Tuesday by a vote of 4-0 with board member Daniels Wells absent.
According to the existing city code dealing with animal cruelty, no one living in the city limits is allowed to impound or confine any animal in any place, and fail to provide at the same time a sufficient quantity of food and water.
In other business Tuesday, Marson talked about all of the Memorial Day activities that were held in Bluefield over the past weekend, including the opening of the Ridge Runner and the Memorial Day service that was conducted in the grassy area of the 400 block.
Marson said all of the flags that were placed in the grassy area for Monday's ceremony were donated by Dreama Denver. He said Paul Dorsey and Felicia Holcomb helped to coordinate the Memorial Day program.
While the weather didn't cooperate, Marson said the program 'turned out well.'
Despite cooler temperatures outside and a steady rainfall during most of the long holiday weekend, the Ridge Runner was still able to start making its runs across Lotito Park on Saturday.
Marson said about 290 people rode the miniature train over the weekend.
But the train had to stop Sunday after a derailment occurred that involved one of its wheels leaving the track.
Marson was asked after Tuesday's meeting to elaborate on the 'derailment' that occurred.
'So yes, Sunday afternoon, we had no train turned over or anything like that,' Marson said. 'It just got stuck in one spot. So we had to go out there this week and reshift the track and get it running.'
The new splash pad at Lotito Park didn't meet its Memorial Day opening.
Rick Showalter, director of parks and recreation for the city, said the splash pad is just about finished, but some work must still be completed, including the fencing. Weather also has impacted the ongoing work.
'We don't have an opening date,' Showalter said. 'We have hired staff, so all of that is going well. We will be training them when we get a little closer. We are very excited, and I think it will be a big hit with the kids.'
'Bottom line is with the weather, we have to get the dirt in and the fence in,' Marson added. 'We have to have the fence for the safety and monitoring. So that's what has been our biggest hold-up.'
Board member Treyvon Simmons said the public is getting excited about the pending opening of the splash pad.
Marson said final preparations also are underway for the start of the Cole Chevy Mountain Festival at city park.
Trucks carrying carnival rides from the James H. Drew Carnival have started arriving at city park, and those rides will be assembled between now and Friday's opening.
'We should have a very nice Mountain Festival this year,' Marson said. 'And thanks to Cole Chevy for putting all of that together.'
Contact Charles Owens at
cowens@bdtonline.com
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