People who essentially abandon their pets after they have been picked up by the animal control officer would face fines under a proposal before the Fort Dodge City Council tonight.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. today in the Municipal Building, 819 First Ave. S.

The elected officials will consider the first reading of a measure that defines animal abandonment.

This measure would apply in cases in which the animal control officer catches a dog or cat running at large and the owner is identified, but refuses to come and get the animal.

“In several recent cases, owners have been successfully identified and contacted, yet they have declined to retrieve their animals,” City Manager David Fierke wrote in a report to the council. “This effectively constitutes abandonment and results in the costs of care and disposal being absorbed by the Fort Dodge taxpayers.”

The measure will have to be approved three times to become law.

Also during the meeting, the council will consider awarding a contract for a turning lane on Fifth Avenue South at the Nestle Purina PetCare plant. The lane will enable westbound traffic to turn right into the plant without slowing down other westbound traffic.

Absolute Concrete Inc., of Granger, submitted the apparent low bid of about $373,000.

The council will also consider allowing Salty Suz, 512 Central Ave., to use a portion of the city parking lot at First Avenue North and Sixth Street as an outdoor serving area.

The proposed serving area would occupy about four parking spaces.