ORDINANCE NO. BL2009-460

An ordinance amending Chapter 8.12 of the Metropolitan Code to establish an animal offender school.

WHEREAS, Section 2.01 of the Metropolitan Charter provides that the Metropolitan Government has the authority to regulate or suppress the keeping and going at large of animals, to provide for the protection of animals, and to prevent animal cruelty; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Code currently requires the licensing of dogs, prohibits cruelty to animals, and prohibits dog owners from allowing their dogs to run at large; and

WHEREAS, in furtherance of the powers granted by the Metropolitan Charter, the Metropolitan Council deems it necessary to create an alternative form of punishment for animal ordinance offenders through the establishment of an animal offender school.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That Chapter 8.12 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by adding the following new Section 8.12.090:

8.12.090 Animal offender school.
A. There shall be established, under the supervision of the animal control division of the department of health, an animal offender school for the purpose of providing education about proper animal care and cruelty prevention to persons found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be in violation of any provision of this Title.
B. The court shall have the discretion to order any person found to be in violation of any provision of this Title to attend such animal offender school in addition to, or in lieu of, any fine, fee or other punishment prescribed by this Title.
C. The animal control division of the department of health shall maintain records showing the names of attendees, dates of attendance, and whether such attendees satisfactorily completed the course.
D. The cost of attending such animal offender school shall be at the sole expense of the person ordered by the court to attend. The animal control division of the department of health is authorized to charge of fee of up to sixty-five dollars for attending the animal offender school. All fees collected for the animal offender school shall be deposited in the general fund of the general services district to assist in covering the expenditures for instructor salaries, equipment and materials.

Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect from and after its passage, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Karen Bennett

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Introduced:	May 19, 2009
Passed First Reading:	May 19, 2009
Referred to:	Budget & Finance Committee Health, Hospitals and Social Services Committee
Passed Second Reading:	June 2, 2009
Passed Third Reading:	June 16, 2009
Approved:	June 18, 2009
By: