Vicki
Administrator
WR adds teeth to dog laws
by Gloria Wilkerson, Staff Writer
[Date not given -- assumed to be Aug. 20, 2009]
The Walnut Ridge City Council voted to tighten its guidelines for the regulation of dogs within the city limits and agreed to hire three more firefighters at their regular meeting on Aug. 11.
The city has a real problem with animal control, according to Mayor Michelle Rogers.
“We revamped our dog ordinance last year, but now we are having repeat offenders,†she said. “People repeatedly pay their fines and keep on letting their dogs run loose.
“Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a dog lover, but I know I have to keep my dogs inside or penned up, and everyone else is supposed to keep theirs up, too.â€
Rogers said vicious dogs aren’t really the main problem, although it is one of the problems. The city just has dogs running loose, and it’s illegal to keep them on a chain 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The council has now added an amendment to the existing animal control ordinance. The amendment allows the code enforcement officer to impound a dog that has been picked up on a third offence until the owner proves he has adequately repaired a pen or enclosure to keep the dog from escaping.
The owner has 72 hours to comply. Owners will have to pay $15 for each day the dog or dogs are boarded, and also pay for a rabies shot, a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 and a $35 reclamation fee. The owner shall also be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and could be required to appear in court and possibly serve jail time.
If the problem is not corrected within the time specified, the code enforcement officer can legally adopt the dog out to a new owner or have it euthanized.
Dogs that bark or make loud or unusual noises to the extent that it is disturbing those residing within reasonable proximity are subject to the same laws as dogs running loose. The amended ordinance states that they should be muzzled or taken inside or the code enforcement officer will have to intervene. On a third offence, these dogs may also be adopted out to a new owner or euthanized.
“Anyone who has been bitten or attacked by a dog should notify the chief of police or animal control officer immediately,†Rogers said. “Call us when the attack happens.â€
The animal will be confined at a veterinary hospital at the expense of the owner for a period of time mandated by the Arkansas State Health Department or the physician who treats the bite victim, whichever period is longer.
http://www.thetd.com/freepages/2009-08-19/news/story1.php
by Gloria Wilkerson, Staff Writer
[Date not given -- assumed to be Aug. 20, 2009]
The Walnut Ridge City Council voted to tighten its guidelines for the regulation of dogs within the city limits and agreed to hire three more firefighters at their regular meeting on Aug. 11.
The city has a real problem with animal control, according to Mayor Michelle Rogers.
“We revamped our dog ordinance last year, but now we are having repeat offenders,†she said. “People repeatedly pay their fines and keep on letting their dogs run loose.
“Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a dog lover, but I know I have to keep my dogs inside or penned up, and everyone else is supposed to keep theirs up, too.â€
Rogers said vicious dogs aren’t really the main problem, although it is one of the problems. The city just has dogs running loose, and it’s illegal to keep them on a chain 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The council has now added an amendment to the existing animal control ordinance. The amendment allows the code enforcement officer to impound a dog that has been picked up on a third offence until the owner proves he has adequately repaired a pen or enclosure to keep the dog from escaping.
The owner has 72 hours to comply. Owners will have to pay $15 for each day the dog or dogs are boarded, and also pay for a rabies shot, a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 and a $35 reclamation fee. The owner shall also be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and could be required to appear in court and possibly serve jail time.
If the problem is not corrected within the time specified, the code enforcement officer can legally adopt the dog out to a new owner or have it euthanized.
Dogs that bark or make loud or unusual noises to the extent that it is disturbing those residing within reasonable proximity are subject to the same laws as dogs running loose. The amended ordinance states that they should be muzzled or taken inside or the code enforcement officer will have to intervene. On a third offence, these dogs may also be adopted out to a new owner or euthanized.
“Anyone who has been bitten or attacked by a dog should notify the chief of police or animal control officer immediately,†Rogers said. “Call us when the attack happens.â€
The animal will be confined at a veterinary hospital at the expense of the owner for a period of time mandated by the Arkansas State Health Department or the physician who treats the bite victim, whichever period is longer.
http://www.thetd.com/freepages/2009-08-19/news/story1.php