Editorial: VBT change in ordinances could help lost sheep

At the April 4 regular meeting of the Van Buren Township Board of Trustees, five changes to the General Code of Ordinances had their first readings.
The second readings and adoptions are expected at the April 18 VBT meeting.
Police Lt. Charles Bazzy and VBT Prosecutor Angela Mannerino went through the changes at the April 3 work/study session and April 4 regular meeting. The changes will allow some cases to be handled at 34th District Court instead of going downtown, which will save time and money. Mannerino is at 34th District Court for VBT every Tuesday.
The township is decriminalizing dog at large and grass cutting, so no criminal penalties hang over the heads of those with infractions.
Lt. Bazzy said they are adding to the definition of dog at large to include cats, mammals, birds, and livestock. He said there’s a sheep in the south end of the township that is not being taken care of and this will give VBT a way to help.
The method to contact violators is changing. Soon VBT will be able to post the property and send a notice by first-class mail, rather than certified mail, which can be refused.
Tickets can be paid at the VBT treasurer’s office within 14 days and the township gets 100%. Then it goes to district court where the township gets one-third. The goal is compliance, not revenue, said Supervisor McNamara.