COSTA MESA

The Police Department withdrew a request Monday asking the City Council to consider hiring a firm to track down the city’s unlicensed dogs--and their owners. The request was withdrawn after several council members raised questions about the proposal, Police Chief Dave Snowden said.

Councilwoman Libby Cowan said she would like to look at methods of addressing unlicensed dogs other than canvassing door to door. Snowden said other council members had questions about how the firm, Civic Collections Inc., would be paid. Civic Collections was asking for 60% of the first year’s license fees and $1 for each dog identified. A budget adjustment of an additional $175,000 also had been included on Monday’s agenda for approval.

Money collected from license fees is used to operate the city’s animal control department. Snowden said he expects the matter to be discussed at a study session next week.