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Problem pets may be removed from Roanoke events

The Roanoke Town Council passed a resolution granting the police department discretion in removing pets from town events during its meeting on Tuesday, July 1.

The police department, which already had the ability to instruct bicyclists and skateboarders to leave town events if they were deemed disruptive, will now have the ability to ask pet owners with pets that could cause problems to leave as well.

Town events where the police will be on the lookout for unruly pets include the Rolling into Roanoke Classic Car Show, Taste of Roanoke and the Roanoke Fall Festival.

Town Marshal Jim Wood cited the presence of rare and expensive cars at the car show and the need to safeguard them against pets that could scratch them as a factor in his decision to push council for the resolution.

Disruption is the key, though, said Wood. A pet owner with a small, well-behaved dog will not be asked to leave an event, stated Wood, just as a young boy or girl moving slowly on a tricycle would not be asked to leave.

All service animals are exempt from the resolution by law.

Ellen Bogan, of 588 N. Main St., made a request to council through President Dave Tucker that the town vacate land behind her house that formerly housed the town's water tower turning ownership of the land over to her.

After a brief discussion, council reached a consensus to deny the request.

"At this point in time, we're not comfortable giving it up," said Tucker.

In other business:

Assistant Utility Superintendent John Hitzemann reported that installation of the new water main on Oak Park Drive has been completed.

Council granted a request by Wood to trade three of the police department's Kel-Tec guns for two Glock .180s at a gun shop.

Council set the last day of the Fall Festival, Sept. 6, as the makeup date for the Fourth of July fireworks show if it is rained out.