City, county leaders discuss funding for animal control

The first formal meeting between elected city and county leaders since 1998 turned into a dogfight – though not between the city and county.

Mayor Dennis Hession and Councilman Brad Stark debated how the city will pay for animal control after its contract with SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. runs out Dec. 1.

The choice as presented by Hession and Stark is between joining the county’s system and asking voters for a tax increase or requiring pet owners to pay significantly higher pet licensing fees.

Stark is pushing for the city to contract with Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services, a move the mayor says would cost “$500,000 we don’t have.” SpokAnimal has indicated that it isn’t interested in remaining an animal control agency.

The debate was the hottest topic discussed Thursday at a meeting between the City Council and the county commission that was scheduled to improve communication between the two bodies.

To replace SpokAnimal, Hession is promoting a system similar to one used by Calgary, Alberta, which is financed completely by pet owners through licensing.

“Animal control is largely the responsibility of the people who have pets,” Hession said.

Stark, however, said moving to the Calgary system would force annual dog license fees to $500 or more. Spokane citizens would never support such increases, he said.

“With all due respect, Mr. Mayor, it’s Polyannish,” Stark said. “If we expect citizens to pay in excess of $500 to license a pet, I hesitate to say ludicrous, but it’s ludicrous.”

Hession said while license costs would “increase substantially” under the Calgary model, it wouldn’t approach the numbers Stark suggested.

“My concern is that there’s a lot of statements and assumptions made by Councilman Stark and others for which there is no substantive proof,” said Hession, adding that he would rather spend animal control tax money on hiring more police.

Stark said citizens likely would be willing to pay slightly higher taxes for a better system.

“The city has been driving the 1970s Pinto model for a long time, and it’s dead,” Stark said.

County commissioners said they would welcome the city into SCRAPS and said the higher cost is a result of providing better service. Besides providing animal control in the unincorporated county, SCRAPS has contracts with Spokane Valley, Cheney, Millwood and Fairchild Air Force Base.

Commissioner Phil Harris warned city leaders that higher fees could be a burden on seniors, many of whom are on fixed incomes and find important companionship with pets.

“To put a $100 or $200 license on them would be a total un-American act,” Harris said. “It’s not loving pet owners who are the problem. It’s habitual offenders.”

Even with the license rates in Spokane well below what they would be under the Calgary model, only about 40 percent of dogs and 15 percent of cats are licensed.

Cost of a license for sterile animals is $8 for cats and $13 for dogs. Non-neutered pets cost $25 for cats and $50 for dogs.

Stark said if so many people are unwilling to pay for licenses with today’s prices, it will be worse with higher rates, a scenario that could create more abandoned pets.

Hession, however, said the problem of low licensing rates could be solved through better enforcement.

The joint meeting was the result of a City Council resolution sponsored by Councilman Al French asking commissioners to meet with them on a quarterly basis. County leaders said they appreciated the invitation and passed a similar resolution.

“We’ve talked about this for as long as I’ve been on council,” French said. “If we’re going to talk, let’s talk to each other instead of to ourselves.”