By Sara QuamThe Luverne City Council settled the issue of the animal impound Tuesday night. The city will continue to require dog owners to license them and will continue to provide the pound for dogs and cats found loose in the city limits. The impound costs about $4,000 a year. Licensing offsets the cost, but it’s not a moneymaking venture for the city. While dogs are required to be licensed under city ordinance, the city is encouraging people to license their cats as well. Licensed dogs and cats won’t be subject to impound fees of $75 per day and $50 each subsequent day. City Administrator Greg La Fond said, "If your animal is licensed and it is in the pound, you’re going to get it back for free , and I think that’s an important incentive." Council member Maynard Lafrenz voted against the ordinance because he said it is unfair to require dogs, but not cats, to be licensed. Council member Esther Frakes said, "My plea to dog and cat owners is to come forward for their protection and their pets’ protection." License fees are $7 per year per animal for neutered or spayed pets and $10 for non-neutered and non-spayed. Frakes said the license fee is a guarantee a lost animal won’t get put to sleep after being held in the pound. Council member Pat Baustian said the minor license fee is an "insurance policy" for pet owners. Baustian also suggested the city re-bid the pound care contract, which the council agreed to. Pet owners who license their animals but continue to have problems with the animals turning up at the pound may be issued citations through the Sheriff’s Department. City attorney The Council Tuesday tabled action on continuing a contract with the County Attorney’s Office to handle city prosecutions. La Fond estimated an average of 15 to 20 cases per month go through the office. Baustian made the motion to table action on the contract citing "other issues" with County Attorney Don Klosterbuer he felt needed addressing first.