Russellville council member Darlene Gooch inquired Tuesday night if the city’s animal ordinance that prohibited dogs at any city festivals could be broadened to include all animals.

Gooch told her fellow council members that there was a possum on a leash at the Logan County Tobacco & Heritage Festival and although it was cute, she felt it to be a possible danger to the citizens who attended the festival.

“With something wild like that, you can’t teach it not to bite,” said Gooch, adding that she understood that police chief Victor Shifflett asked them to take the possum from the festival, but that they came back with it at the 7 p.m. activities.

Gooch said people we coming up and petting it and asking to hold it. She said it was even dressed in a sweater.

Mayor Mark Stratton said the council could bring that up and amend the ordinance to include all animals. The city currently has an ordinance on the books that prohibits dogs from being at any festivals in the city, unless they are a part of the festivity or are needed for the handicapped.

“The next thing you know, someone will be bringing an alligator. You think that’s funny, but nothing would surprise me what people will bring,” said the mayor.

Councilman Jimmy Davenport said he’d been on the council for years and this was the first time they had ever discussed a possum.