City of Pasco faces legal storm over animal control violations

During a recent Pasco City Council meeting, resident Mary Mahoney raised significant concerns regarding the handling of animal control ordinances and potential violations of federal laws. Mahoney, who resides in a floodplain area, referenced a specific case involving a pit bull named Belle, which was sent to Washington State University (WSU) for research under file number 4477.

Mahoney highlighted that the contract between WSU and Tri City Animal Control, as stated by Pasco attorney Lee Kerr, had been terminated as of April 1, 2019. However, she noted that no termination agreement has been provided to the public, raising questions about transparency and accountability. Furthermore, Kerr indicated that there would be no revisions to the ordinances governing potentially dangerous animals to include due process protections for pet owners, which Mahoney argued undermines the rights of pet owners to receive notice and a fair hearing regarding their pets.

Mahoney asserted that without a proper termination agreement, the City of Pasco may be in violation of the Animal Welfare Act and potentially the Clean Water Act. She accused city attorneys from Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland of failing to uphold their constitutional duties, citing broader implications of constitutional violations, environmental concerns, and claims of harassment and retaliation against residents.

The meeting underscored ongoing tensions between local government actions and community rights, particularly concerning animal control policies and environmental protections in floodplain areas.