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POCATELLO - A newly formed group that seeks to change the city's vicious dog ordinance plans to pack City Hall Wednesday during a special meeting being held by the Animal Shelter Advisory Board.

"Our time to shine is going to be at the animal advisory board meeting," Jo Lynn Anderson told about 20 members of the "Voices For Animals" group Thursday during a meeting at the Bannock County Fairgrounds. "We need to pack the room. We have to drag all our neighbors and friends with us."

The special meeting was called to take public comment on the issue. The advisory board plans to review the city ordinance that deals with vicious animals, and could recommend changes. The City Council, however, will have the final say on any proposed changes.

"I think we need to present a strong, united front, so everyone here should try to bring two friends," said Meghan Layfield, whose dog, Balou, was labeled vicious by the city. "The more people there are, the more they're going to listen."

The new group formed a few weeks ago with the aim of changing the ordinance, which they deem unfair to animals and their owners. Thirty people attended the first meeting and more than 60 showed up Oct. 22 for the second one.

Anderson encouraged members to also voice their concerns during Thursday's regular City Council meeting and keep the pressure on until the city agrees to change the ordinance.

"I think we have everyone's attention, but we have to keep the pressure on," she said. "It's going to be very important that we all attend that meeting."

The advisory board's one and a half hour meeting at City Hall begins at noon, and the council's regular meeting the next day starts at 6 p.m.

Kathy Seibert said members need to send Pocatello Animal Control and city officials the message, "We're getting bigger, louder and stronger, and we're coming after you."

Anderson told group members it was important to be specific about how they want the ordinance changed when they speak to the board.

Among other things, the group wants to get rid of language in the ordinance that states dogs can be labeled vicious if they are in an "apparent or perceived" manner of attack, and to include a clause that requires dogs labeled as vicious to be assessed by a separate group not associated with Animal Control.

They also want to change the part of the ordinance that says that after a second offense, animals labeled vicious "shall" be destroyed. They would like to change it to "may" be destroyed.

"This is going to be a very good chance to say, 'this is what we want,'" said group member Trudi Morphey. "I think it's very important that we go in (and present) exactly what we want."

Group members also agreed to ask the City Council to include the issue during one of its month study sessions.

"This is an important issue that needs to be looked at in a study session," Anderson said. "Let it be known, these are just a few of the recommendations we have and additional recommendations we want to be presented to the City Council and advisory board during a study session."

Anderson told members who speak at the meetings not to be vindictive and to keep their message "short and sweet and to the point."

"Stay focused and on subject and do not be vicious and attack; that's not going to get us anywhere," she said. "We have to be professional and we have to stick to the issue; we can't stray off."

Anderson said a group called Portneuf Animal Welfare Society has formed in an effort to help animals and their owners. The group is trying to raise funds to do things like provide animal owners whose dogs have been labeled vicious with legal assistance, and purchase dog and cat food for animal owners who can't afford it.

Any donations for the group can be sent to "Portneuf Animal Welfare Society, P.O. Box 1603, Pocatello, ID 83204."