Early council adopts Ordinance 337 to amend "vicious animal" definition
January 01, 2026 | Early, Sac County, Iowa
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The City Council of Early, Iowa voted unanimously Jan. 6 to adopt Ordinance 337, which amends the city's definition of a "vicious animal." The public hearing opened at 6:01 p.m., and Councilmember Brian Pickhinke moved to approve the ordinance; Councilmember Christine Madden seconded. A roll-call vote recorded Pickhinke, Xavier Delao, Cory Tiefenthaler, Brandon Scadden and Christine Madden as voting in favor; the ordinance will be published and posted by the city.
The Sac County Sheriff told the council he was glad the amendment passed, signaling local law-enforcement support for the change. Mayor William Cougill also welcomed Nancy Janssen from the Midwest Assistance Program, who noted the program is available at no cost to municipalities. "It is a free service to municipalities," Janssen said.
The adoption comes as residents raised related concerns during the meeting's citizens forum. Council members and staff reminded residents that existing city Ordinance 55.10 limits animals per property (a maximum of five dogs and cats combined, with a maximum of three dogs per property) and emphasized pet licensing rules: owners must register pets with the city by the end of February, submit vaccination records, and expect a late penalty beginning March 1; fines may be levied for violations discovered after March 31.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 337 (vicious animal definition) '1/6/2026 '1: Approved (roll call: Pickhinke, Delao, Tiefenthaler, Scadden, Madden). Resolution 26-01 (transfer of funds): Approved. Resolution 26-02 (transfer to Water & Sewer Sinking for FY 2026 SRF loan): Approved. Resolution 26-03 (2026 salaries for appointed officers and employees): Approved.
The council did not provide further detail in the minutes about the text changes to the definition beyond adopting the ordinance; the city stated it will publish the ordinance text when it posts the adopted measure.
The Sac County Sheriff told the council he was glad the amendment passed, signaling local law-enforcement support for the change. Mayor William Cougill also welcomed Nancy Janssen from the Midwest Assistance Program, who noted the program is available at no cost to municipalities. "It is a free service to municipalities," Janssen said.
The adoption comes as residents raised related concerns during the meeting's citizens forum. Council members and staff reminded residents that existing city Ordinance 55.10 limits animals per property (a maximum of five dogs and cats combined, with a maximum of three dogs per property) and emphasized pet licensing rules: owners must register pets with the city by the end of February, submit vaccination records, and expect a late penalty beginning March 1; fines may be levied for violations discovered after March 31.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 337 (vicious animal definition) '1/6/2026 '1: Approved (roll call: Pickhinke, Delao, Tiefenthaler, Scadden, Madden). Resolution 26-01 (transfer of funds): Approved. Resolution 26-02 (transfer to Water & Sewer Sinking for FY 2026 SRF loan): Approved. Resolution 26-03 (2026 salaries for appointed officers and employees): Approved.
The council did not provide further detail in the minutes about the text changes to the definition beyond adopting the ordinance; the city stated it will publish the ordinance text when it posts the adopted measure.
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