Sturgis dog ordindance going to voters

Sturgis voters will decide Nov. 3 whether residents of single-family homes will be able to have three dogs at their residence.
Members of the city commission last week approved language for a possible dog-ordinance amendment and have sent it to St. Joseph County Clerk Lindsay Oswald.
If voters approve the amendment, owning three dogs within the city limits will require owners to have all three dogs licensed with the county and register the third canine with the city within 30 days of being kept in a city home.
City registration will cost $50 and must be renewed annually by March 1.
City Manager Michael Hughes said the fee is intended to defray “administrative costs” associated with keeping track of people with more than two dogs.
The ordinance amendment would prohibit registering a third dog if the registrant has had a dangerous animal citation within the previous three years.