People caught killing loose pets without cause in Fairbanks face new fines that were passed after several animal deaths.
The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports the borough assembly voted 7-1 to fine people $500 for a first animal cruelty violation and $1,000 for a second offense.
Anyone who kills a pet could also be fined $100 if they take longer than a day to notify the owner or animal control.
Killing animals in self-defense is exempted.
Assemblyman Lance Roberts voted no and said the feel-good ordinance was unenforceable.
A borough code rewrite removed a previous law against killing animals outside of hunting, trapping, self-defense or humane deaths.
Assemblyman John Davies said that standard was taken off the books, and this ordinance provides a tool to address unjustified animal killings.
