Northeast News
August 12, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Last year, Kansas City’s Animal Health and Public Safety officers rescued more than 3,900 abused and neglected animals by bringing them to the city-owned animal shelter for care.

Nearly all of these rescues were a direct result of the city’s response to calls placed to the city’s 311 Call Center by concerned citizens who wished to intervene on behalf of an animal. In each of these cases, animal control officers are required to uphold the civil rights of Kansas City’s residents while also acting in the best interest of the animal. Chapter 14 of Kansas City’s code of ordinances, as well as the Fourth and Fifth Amendments to the United States Constitution, outlines the proper processes and regulations for how officers must conduct their work. The city is now calling on residents to review the city’s regulations and suggest improvements that may improve the city’s enforcement of both animal and human rights. An online forum is now available to accept suggestions for improvement from residents at www.kcmomentum.org.

In a press release, City Manager Troy Schulte said Kansas City has made strides to improve the system that prosecutes animal abuse offenders. Concerned citizens can help strengthen the ordinances by providing meaningful suggestions for improving codes. Because pets are considered property, Kansas City’s animal health and public safety officers cannot remove an animal from a home unless conditions for care are repeatedly found to be inadequate. When officers are unable to remove a pet due to legal restrictions, they provide resources to help educate pet owners and to obtain food or other items needed to improve care for the pet.

In 2012, Kansas City began making a number of improvements to the animal health and public safety process, which included increased enforcement of animal abuse cases, a dedicated municipal court for neighborhood issues like animal control, a special investigator in animal control, and a city prosecutor, all working directly on animal control cases. The department also invested in mobile ticketing, which helped officers cite owners for neglect and abuse. In 2013, the City Council adopted an ordinance increasing fees for animal abuse cases. The city also partnered with local supporters to provide additional resources and education for pet owners.

Residents are urged to review Chapter 14 of the City’s Code of Ordinances and make suggestions that may help improve the city’s response to animal abuse and neglect cases, while also protecting residents Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights. An online forum is now available to accept suggestions for improvement from residents at www.kcmomentum.org.