Every year, people in our city are bitten or chased by dogs. Most of the victims are children. Others included joggers, people who ride bicycles or enjoy walking, postal and delivery workers. In all cases, the possibility of injury from a dog bite and transmission of the deadly rabies virus is a serious public health concern.
Stray dogs can also be a nuisance by destroying property, strewing trash, or creating traffic hazards. Loose dogs can spread contagious diseases and are a primary source of uncontrolled breeding. The responsibility for vaccination, licensing and the proper restraint of these animals rests with the individual pet owner.
There is no requirement for cats to stay on their own property, but they can become a nuisance to your neighbors and are at risk of injury when left to wander outside of their home. Please be a good neighbor by keeping your cat in your home or fenced yard.
There are 3 different rescue groups able to assist City residents with their healthy cats. Please contact them by email to request assistance. *Please note that responses from rescue groups may be delayed during kitten season (between March and October annually)
When you have a problem with a neighborhood pet, call and make a report. It is important to provide as much information as you can about the animal and its possible owner.
An animal control officer will investigate your complaint and attempt to catch any loose animals and/or talk to the pet owner about keeping the animal confined.
Unfortunately, many pet owners let their dogs run loose and create nuisances. It often takes several complaints and a number of visits by our officers to gain compliance. Occasionally we must resort to setting a trap, which may take additional time to catch the animal.
Reports of loose dogs (with no information as to where they live) are difficult problems to solve, especially if the dogs are not present when the officer arrives in the area. There is little the officer can do but assume the dogs have been picked up by the owner or that they have moved on to locations unknown. Since an owner is not known, the officer cannot warn them about the problem. Again, it is extremely important to provide as much information as possible, including if you have seen the dog previously.
Complaints that are made anonymously will not be investigated. The reporting party must give accurate and comprehensive information. If there are any questions, the officers will be able to conduct a full investigation. The identify of the complainant will not be revealed; however, a Court Order may do so.
To submit a Animal Control complaint, please click here.