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COLUMBUS JUNCTION — Owners of dogs caught running at large in Columbus Junction may soon be facing impoundment fees under an ordinance amendment that passed its first reading by the city council Wednesday.

Although dogs found at large in the city could be seized and impounded under the city’s original ordinance, the amendment would now require owners to pay a fee when they come to claim their animal.

According to the amendment, a $25 impound fee would be assessed for the first offense, $50 for the second and $100 for the third and any successive offense of letting their dog run loose. Owners of unvaccinated dogs would also be required to have it immediately vaccinated.

Mayor Mark Huston said the amendment was developed following an employee meeting where officials agreed the existing city ordinance needed to be updated.

“How to handle dogs is not an easy project,” Huston acknowledged before the vote.

Two additional readings of the amendment must be approved before it goes into effect, although the council could waive the third and final reading.