City looks at expanding pet rules

The city of Canton is considering relaxing its pet rules and regulations in regards to the number of animals allowed per household and the type of animals allowed in the city limits.

Currently residents are limited to two house pets such as dogs, cats or a combination of dogs and cats and fowl are not permitted.

“I think it would be helpful to our animal shelter and help our community get involved to have more animals” allowed per home, Councilwoman Connie Odic said.

Odic brought the issue before the council last week.

Canton operates the only animal shelter in Van Zandt County. Recently the city asked other county municipalities to enter into an interlocal agreement for use of the shelter.

City Manager Lonnie Cluck met with representatives from Wills Point, Van, Edgewood and Grand Saline telling those cities that it cost Canton $210,000 annually to operate the shelter. Canton asked that the cities sign an interlocal agreement for use of the animal shelter and pay a yearly fee of $5,000 in addition to animal surrender and euthanasia fees already charged.

According to Mayor pro tem Shawn Stewart, the shelter euthanized 97 dogs in July. Shelter records show 550 animals were euthanized in 2015.

“We need to do something,” Stewart said.

The possibility of pet registration fees was also discussed.

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