Supporters from both sides of the issue packed the George A. Smith meeting room in City Hall to voice their concerns prior to the council's vote.

Council members listened patiently as nearly a dozen citizens addressed them, primarily about the issue of spaying and neutering. A provision concerning a virtual mandate on spaying and neutering surfaced as the pivotal point rousing those for and against the ordinance.

A local representative with the American Kennel Club, Jim Odle, left city hall pleased with the outcome and believing city leaders had made the right decision. "We were here to represent the pure bred dog breeders in the community and this ordinance would inhibit their breeding and producing," Odle continued. "It was unconstitutional and in many ways unenforceable."

Several citizens associated with the local humane societies and animal rescues were on hand to support the ordinance. For "spay and neuter" advocates, such as Jennifer McBride, their push to correct pet over-population will continue.

"One of the number one ways to decrease the pet over-population is to spay and neuter," McBride said. "It's just the responsible thing to do and this ordinance was not about a mandatory spay and neuter, it gives people choices."

As for choices the new law would allow citizens to pay an annual $75 fee for a breeding license. A pet owner with an animal older than six-months, and has not been "altered" would be cited.

It was this provision that compelled Ernest Brooks, of district 3, to vote against the ordinance. "Though it was well intended and it did have sections that were important my main consideration was the mandatory spay/neuter," Brooks said. "I thought that was over-reaching, I do believe there are many Jacksonians that would place a financial burden upon."

Brooks joined the ranks of Harvey Buchanan, Maurice Hays, Frank Neudecker and Charles Rahm to oppose the ordinance. Charles Bray, Johnny Dodd, Randy Wallace and Danny Ellis voted in favor of the measure.

Ellis said he favored the motion, because "it addressed a growing problem, that being pet over-population and the humane treatment of animals."

Ellis also argued that provisions in the ordinance had Constitutional protections in place. "Everybody would have their day in court, nobody would just walk up, it would be complaint driven," Ellis said.

All involved agree that this is not the last they will address the issue of improved animal control, because there is an understood pet over-population problem and it came as a recommendation from the Safe Neighborhood Task Force.

Mayor Jerry Gist said since the ordinance did not pass in it's first, and only reading, he is advising Task Force Chair Vicki Lake to cooperate with area animal clinics on a spay and neuter program. Gist said their goal is to establish a fund which will allow pet owners to voluntarily bring in their animals for a discounted procedure.