Proposed Animal Ordinances for Washington County

November 7, 5:52 PMLittle Rock Animal Care ExaminerLeslie Ray

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Photo by Leslie Ray, Angel Pet Sitters

The floundering economy has taken a toll on animal control in Northwest Arkansas, forcing some cities to cut back on their staff or shorten shelter operation hours. In an effort to recoup some of the revenue lost when animal control officers have to pick up stray pets, the county is considering proposed ordinances that will employ some drastic measures, including:

Mandating the implantation of microchips in stray dogs that animal control picks up in the  unincorporated areas of Washington County.

Limiting the number of animals that one person or organization can have spayed or neutered by the county’s low-cost spay/neuter program. (The proposed limit is 10 animals.)

Disallowing low cost spay/neuter for animals intended for sale, adoption, or release to individuals or organizations residing/operating outside the county.

Requiring all “two-time” offenders (pet owners whose pets are picked up more than once by  animal control officers) to pay for their pet’s spaying or neutering.

Doubling the cost of impounding animals, from $75 to $150 for animals that have had to be impounded more than once.

The ordinances are being proposed due to the increasing number of animals that are picked up by animal enforcement each year. Most responsible pet owners will not be affected by the proposed ordinances. However, pets that are allowed to run free, or frequently escape from their homes and fenced yards may cause their owners to incur penalties for their actions.

The benefit of microchipping animals is that they can be scanned when they are found, and are usually returned to their owners. Microchips, while they are not tracking devices, do assist animal control in allowing pets to be reunited with their rightful owners.

Revenue for the county’s low-cost spay neuter program is currently very low. Limiting the number of pets that individuals and organizations can have spayed or neutered will ensure that the pet owners who really need to use the program will be able to do so. And, by requiring owners of pets that are picked up more than once to pay a $150 fine, the cost of the animal’s spay/neuter will be covered.
 

For more info:

http://www.nwanews.com/news/2009/nov/03/county-may-require-microchips-dogs-20091103/
http://www.kfsm.com/news/kfsm-news-microchipping-strays-washington-county,0,3791392.story