Wichita Council to Vote on Changes to the Animal Ordinance

Wichita,KS -- by Kim Hynes (WICHITA, Kan.)

The Wichita City Council will vote Tuesday on changes to the animal ordinance. The changes target pit bull owners, but all dog and cat owners will be impacted.

Read the Proposed Animal Ordinance

The changes require all adult pit bulls to be micro chipped and sterilized within six month of the ordinance going into effect. It also makes it illegal to own more than two pit bulls.

You can exempt a pit bull from sterilization by getting a dog breeder's license. If you already own more than two pit bulls, you can be grandfathered in by getting an animal maintenance permit before July.

The city requires dog owners to register all animals. If you own more than two of any breed, you're supposed to get the animal maintenance permit.

Besides changes for pit bull owners, the city wants to allow more flexibility for rabies vaccinations. Animals would be required to get rabies shots every three years instead of annually.

It also includes new animal nuisance provisions. Neighbors can file complaints against dogs and cats for defecation issues, noise and damage to property.

Dog groomers and other commercial animal businesses will have to meet zoning requirements. The city says it will make it easier to cite businesses with heath and sanitation issues.

The city council will discuss the changes Tuesday and then vote. If approved, the changes will go into effect July 1st.

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