KINGSLAND - The Kingsland City Council approved increasing the fines for unrestrained dogs, and discussed a new round of letters going out to property owners who have properties that are not in compliance with city ordinances.Those and other issues were addressed during a lengthy monthly city council meeting held last Thursday evening at Kingsland City Hall. Crosby asked about increasing the fines for people who have dogs that roam the streets after one loose dog recently knocked over a bicyclist who was traveling through townd, causing damage to a professional grade bike. In addition, another dog caused $6,000 in damages to the new car belonging to Kingsland City Council member Karen Wiscaver.The council approved a mo-tion increasing the fines for violating Ordinance 2007-4 from $75 to $125 for a first time offense, and from $125 to $250 for a second time offense.Ordinance 2007-4 established the guidelines that must be followed for Kingsland residents who have dogs. The ordiance requires: • Any person owning a dog that is six months or older to pay an annual licensing fee of $4. The yearly license expires Dec. 31 of each year, and must be renewed by Jan. 30 of the following year.• All dogs within the city limits must be vaccinated for rabies at least one each year, and should be indicated as such with a tag on the dog's collar.• No dogs are allowed to run at-large. The ordinance defines at-large as "Any dog not confined to the premises of the owner or within a house or other building, or enclosed or restrained on the premises of the owner by a leash sufficiently strong to prevent the dog from escaping or restricting the dog to the premises, or not confined by leash or confined within an automobile when away from the premises of the owner." While the city has been lenient in the past regarding the licenses and rabies shots, Crosby said the city will be pursuing the enforcement keeping dogs restrained. She said the enforcement...
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