VALDOSTA – The old adage says an old dog can’t be taught new tricks, but hopefully old dog owners can be taught new rules. 

Valdosta City Council unanimously approved an updated animal ordinance at its meeting Thursday night making the ordinance more consistent with the version recently passed by the Lowndes County Commission. 

“Because we (the city) use animal control, we thought our words should be consistent,” Valdosta Police Chief Brian Childress said. “About 90 percent of what was in (Lowndes County’s) was already in ours. We made a few minor changes.” 

The changes include relinquishing any trapped domestic animals to animal services, having at least a $50,000 insurance policy for owning a dangerous dog, not issuing a certificate of registration for a vicious dog to residents convicted of animal cruelty for two years and not issuing a certificate of registration for a vicious dog for someone living with a person convicted of animal cruelty.

Tethering is also addressed in the new ordinance. 

Animals may only be tethered to a cable-run system and only if the system is fixed between two stationary objects, the tether is at least 10 feet in length, the length of the tether may not extend beyond the owner’s property and the area in which the animal is tethered must be free from obstructions that could entangle the animal. 

All animals must have easy access to adequate food, water and shelter. Animals may not be tethered during inclement weather or for any duration of time that could cause physical or mental suffering. 

Another facet of the ordinance is the sale of household pets on public premises. 

The sale of pets is prohibited at public establishments unless the premise is a pet dealer open to the general public, the sale is sponsored by the humane society or the director of animal services has given permission. 

The ordinance also requires owners to obtain an annual license for each dog for a fee of $3 per dog. The license must be purchased prior to May 1 of each year. A license tag may be replaced for 50 cents with satisfactory proof. 

City Council also approved the filing of an application for two Downtown Development Revolving Loan Funds with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to rehabilitate parts of North Patterson Street. 

The draft 2016 Greater Lowndes Comprehensive Plan Update will be formally transmitted to the Southern Georgia Regional Commission and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs following the approval of council. 

Jennifer Dandron is a Reporter at the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be reached at (229)244-3400 ext. 1255.