Dog Owners Could Pay More Than Double to Get Back Jailed Pets

If your dog ends up in the Avon Lake pound, it could cost you more than double to get it back if city council approves a $15 increase over the current $10 fee to reclaim the pet from the city's kennel on SR 83.

The city’s Public Service Committee agreed to increase the fee to $25.

Councilwoman Jennifer Fenderbosch said the $10 fee has been in place for at least 10 years. She felt the $25 fee was too low.

“I think it should be higher,” she said, saying there were a number of habitual offenders. “There are people who have chosen to let their dog loose for a few days because it’s cheaper than boarding them."

In Kent, the city's kennel charges $10 for the first day and $5 for each day after.

The city’s law director, William Kerner, said that the fee should be “commensurate with service done,” and that a higher fee would be punitive.

Fenderbosch said she would support a graduated fee that increased with instances of loose dogs.

Kerner said that owners of dogs habitually loose could be cited for animal at large, a minor misdemeanor that carries up to a $150 fine.

The city’s ordinance lists the fee as $10 to reclaim both dogs and cats. The fee is paid at the . Fenderbosch and Rush both confirmed the change would also apply to any impounded animal.

Councilman Tim Rush, who also serves on the committee supported an immediate increase to $25, and recommended continuing discussions on a larger or graduated fee in the future.  

At posting time, statistics available for the number of pets placed into the city's kennel were not available.