Election results, animal control on county agenda

  The Yuma County Board of Supervisors will canvass results of the Nov. 4 general election during its meeting Monday morning.

  The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. at 198 S. Main St.

  At that time, the board will accept the unofficial results of the election before submitting them to the Arizona secretary of state for final canvassing.

  Also Monday, the board will hold a public hearing on a proposed animal control ordinance. The new ordinance would combine two existing ordinances that prohibit dogs running at large and unrestrained barking of dogs.

  According to the ordinance, at large means the dog is neither confined by an enclosure nor physically restrained by a leash within the unincorporated areas of the county. In addition, the ordinance prohibits letting a dog disturb the peace and quiet of others by "frequent or habitual barking, howling or yelping."

  In addition, according to county officials, the new ordinance changes the offenses from criminal to civil, and violators will be able to go before a hearing officer rather than the courts. Violators could be subject to civil fines of from $50 to $500.

  Animal abuse will remain a criminal offense.

   The new ordinance also will have provisions governing biting and vicious dogs, licensing and tags and impoundment.

  In an afternoon session beginning at 1:30 p.m., the supervisors will consider and possibly act on a number of rezoning applications. A public hearing will be held on a request for a special use permit by William and Deborah Britain for a dude ranch and amusement activities on 160 acres near Wellton.