Proposed increase in cost of handling stray dogs leaves Decorah City Council yapping

When the Decorah City Council was presented with a proposal Monday night that would mean the cost of handling stray dogs would be six times higher than before, it did not just "roll over."

The City of Decorah currently pays $10 per day to kennel stray dogs with Du Wayne Snitker of rural Decorah.  Snitker has told city officials he wants to be guaranteed of getting paid at least $140 every month for his service.

The problem is that the City of Decorah sent only four stray dogs to Snitker last year.  That would have meant a cost of $420 per dog--or a total of $1,680--if charges had been calculated the way Snitker is now proposing.

City council members asked a number of questions, then decided it would be better to postpone action on Snitker's request.  The issue has been referred to the city's Community Betterment Committee for a recommendation.