Sweden puts more bite into its dog control offense fees

Proposed increases to impound fees and dog control offenses will be the topics of two public hearings in the Town of Sweden.

Town Attorney James Bell endorsed the proposed increases for violations. "When people come to court they aren't fazed by the $25 fee we charge for dog control offenses," he said. According to the proposed amendment, the town wishes to amend penalties for offenses as follows: "Any person who violates or knowingly permits violation of this article shall be subject to a fine of not more than $75 … except where the law was violated within the preceding five years the fine may not be more than $150 … or where the person was found to have committed two or more such violations within the preceding five years … it shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $300 or imprisonment for not more than 15 days or both."

Sweden's present dog penalties are $25, $50 and $150.

Also on the agenda for an August 24 public hearing is a proposed increase for dog kennel fees. The board presently charges a $5 per day kennel fee. The proposed calls for the impound fees at the kennel to be $10 per day.

On August 24 at 7:15 p.m., town officials will be gathering input from the public for the excavation permit for Iroquois Rock Products quarry on Colby Street and Sweden Walker Road. The permit expired June 24, 2003 and an application has been submitted by Iroquois for the renewal of the permit.