County established policy for stray and at-large dogs

The county commission voted on a resolution during the March 15th meeting, hoping to put a policy in place that allowed a Dog Catcher to detain stray and “at-large” dogs, or dogs who have become a public nuisance.

A citizen, who identified herself as a vet, voiced her concern as to how the county would make the dog’s owner pay for veterinary bills, if veterinary care was needed. Commissioner Ronnie Brewer and Mayor Jonah Keltner answered that it would be up to the county to get reimbursement for the veterinary bills.

Commissioner Timmie Hinson asked the County Attorney, Jack Heath, whether the county would be held liable if the dog was injured by the Dog Catcher when being caught. “If the Dog Catcher is not acting the way he should and maybe had a few drinks, and was negligent, then we might be liable for that,” said Heath. “[We would] not be any more liable than when the Sheriff’s Deputy goes out to get the dog.”

The resolution was sponsored by Commissioners Jerry Ashmore and Brian Peery. All commissioners voted in favor of the resolution except for Commissioners Larry Hensley and Timmie Hinson who voted no. The resolution passed.

The new county policy for stray and at-large dogs was written as follows:

“If the Lewis County Dog Catcher is notified by Dispatch about a stray dog or a dog running at-large in Lewis County outside the City Limits, the Dog Catcher or their designated representativ, may pick up the dog and hold it for at least three business days at the Lewis County Dog Pound.

The Dog Catcher is authorized to place live capture animal traps on public property, or private property with the permission of the owner, in order to trap and remove a stray or at-large dog. It is unlawful for any person other than the Dog Catcher or the Dog Catcher’s representative to remove any animal from the trap, or to damage, destroy, move or tamper with the trap.

Impounded dogs shall be provided with immediate veterinary care if the Dog Catcher and local Veterinarian deem such care to be necessary in an attempt to prevent physical pain, suffering, disability or death of the dog. The dog’s owner shall be responsible for all expenses incurred for such veterinary care, as well as the subsequent treatment and boarding of the animal.

When a dog is impounded and the owner is known, such as by verification of a neighbor or an identification collar, the Dog Catcher shall make multiple documented efforts to give notice to the owner either in person, by phone, or through social media within two calendar days after the seizure, and shall inform the owner of the conditions whereby the dog may be redeemed.

A dog owner may claim and redeem their dog after paying their required fines, veterinary bills, boarding fees, etc. that were accumulated due to the seizure or impoundment of their animal. Boarding fees are designed to help cover the time, labor and gasoline costs of going and getting the animal; taking it to a veterinary hospital when needed; visiting and caring for the animal each day; feeding and watering the animal; and for utilities at the shelter, among other things.

Such boarding fees are as follows: For the first offense - $25 per day. For the second offense - $50 per day. For the third offense - $100 per day. Upon the fourth offense within any twelve-month period, the dog will put up for adoption.

A dog that is not claimed in three business days will be considered “adoptable” as long as it has no serious diseases or issues. Anyone interested in adopting a dog from the Lewis County Dog Pound must first contact the Dog Catcher. They will then arrange an appointment time at a local veterinary clinic to meet with the person wanting to adopt the dog, along with the dog being adopted, so the animal can be spayed/neutered, undergo all applicable vaccinations and de-worming, receive a flea/tick preventative, and undergo a heart-worming test. The fees for such procedures will be the responsibility of the person adopting the dog and must be paid up front.

Following that process and procedure, the adoption fee of $20.00 per dog shall be paid to Lewis County Government and shall be placed in the Animal Control Fund. That fee is subject to change, or be waived, for special adoption events.

Any owner whose animal has been seized due to multiple at-large violations and therefore put up for adoption may adopt their animal out after going through the adoption process, but only after paying all required and applicable fines, veterinary bills, boarding fees and adoption fees.

Anyone wanting to make an appeal concerning an issue related to stray and at-large dogs shall contact the Public Safety Committee, either in person or in writing, for all non-urgent issues. The County Mayor shall be contacted for all urgent issues, and they shall consult with the Animal Control Officer and County Attorney for advice as needed.”