December 16,  2023 -  Shelbyville City Council Says No to Roosters, Yes to Lawyers

by Joshua Blevins

Thursday evening marked the final meeting of the Shelbyville City Council for this year. There were several items on the agenda, but the one that occupied the most time and led to the most debate was the final reading of the updated City Ordinance Title 3, Animal Control. It had passed at the previous council meeting, but at this final vote, opposition arose to an amendment proposed by Council member William Christie and previously approved by the council. The amendment would make it unlawful to tether an animal outside unless it was under the direct supervision of a responsible and competent person.

Two people showed up to the meeting to speak against this tethering prohibition. The first speaker was a resident who argued that he likes to keep his dog outside on a long lead line and that buying an enclosure for his dog would start at around $700, a significant cost. The second speaker was Animal Control Supervisor Mariah Teal, who argued that the current ordinance, which limited the type of tethering without outlawing it altogether, was already adequate. She stated that having a no-tethering ordinance would adversely affect the elderly and those on a fixed income who should be allowed to have a pet companion. It would also adversely affect renters who may not be able to put up a fence or enclosure for their dogs.

When the ordinance came up for discussion among the council members, council member Christie argued that he has a neighbor who leaves a dog tied up outside his house all day and all night, in all types of weather conditions. He feels that this is cruel and inhumane to the animal. He asked that Shelbyville join other cities in becoming a "chain-free city." However, council member Henry Feldhaus disagreed and offered an amendment to the ordinance that removed the stipulation that a tethered animal be under the direct supervision of a responsible and competent person. This amendment passed unanimously, followed by the unanimous passing of the amended Animal Control Ordinance.

The new Animal Control Ordinance becomes effective on December 29 but provides a grace period of 90 days for residents to come into compliance. Full enforcement will begin on March 28, 2024.

The most significant change in the new ordinance is that it is now unlawful for any person to keep a rooster inside the city limits. It is also unlawful to keep any fowl (chickens, ducks, geese, and other domestic birds or exotic game birds) in any area of the city zoned R4 (high-density residential) or MHP (mobile home park) or any other townhome, multi-family, or similar units. In areas of the city where fowl are allowed, they are now required to be housed in a coop. The coop must be an enclosure with a minimum of 4 square feet of floor space per fowl and must be a minimum of 18 inches in height. The coop must be at least 10 feet from any property line and cannot be in a front yard. Anyone found to be in violation of the new fowl ordinance will be subject to a citation.

Following the vote on the Animal Control Ordinance, the city council moved on to a number of other, less controversial items, which progressed quickly. Six resolutions, including several regarding annexation and providing services to annexed properties, passed unanimously.

Under business items, a motion to approve a part-time intern position for Public Relations failed after no one would second the motion to approve by council member Feldhaus. There was however an agreement from all council members present to defer hiring an Economic Developer (which has been debated for months) and revisit the issue in February 2024.

The final item of note on the agenda was the consideration of a motion to approve additional attorneys' fees for representation in the Local Option Sales Tax dispute. The city council approved an additional $75,000, on top of the previously approved $50,000, in their ongoing fight with Bedford County government over the split of local option sales tax funds. Council member Marilyn Ewing asked, "How often are they asking for these [attorney] fees?" No clear answer was given, but City Manager Scott Collins promised to provide the council with monthly copies of the bills as they come in from the attorneys.