The Niles Township Board is considering drafting its own animal control ordinance after a dog killed a cat and injured another dog in a township neighborhood recently.
Township Supervisor Jim Kidwell brought up the issue at Monday’s board meeting, explaining that it had been reported that two pitbulls had gotten loose in a neighborhood in the township and killed a neighbor’s cat and mangled a dog.
“I think it’s time to revisit this,” Kidwell said, “to protect the citizens of the township a little better.”
Currently the township relies on Berrien County Animal Control to handle complaints of dangerous animals. The county has quarantined the pitbull that is suspected to have attacked the animals.
Clerk Marge Durm-Hiatt said the board could have a first reading of a draft of an animal ordinance as early as the next board meeting. The board members still have to discuss some provisions of the ordinance, like how many animals a household can own.
Niles City Councilperson Bill Weimer, who was in attendance, said the city’s animal ordinance allows for a total of five pets per household.