Linton putting more bite in nuisance animal law

Well, if you live within Linton's city limits there's an ordinance for you.

The purpose of the city's animal ordinance is to regulate the disruption certain animals cause that disturbs peace, affects the health, safety and welfare of the citizens, visitors and the city of Linton and to protect animals from adverse behaviors of humans, ordinance #2006-13 states.

But, it seems that part of the ordinance may be hard to enforce.

Linton Police Chief Troy Jerrell explained, "The barking dog is tough. A dog may bark once or twice and quit and then you get there...."

The LPD currently works the ordinance off a complaint basis, Jerrell added.

"Obviously, if a dog barks one or two times that's not a problem it's the one that barks all night," he said. "The first time we get a complaint we try to let them work it out. If they can work it out between themselves that's always best."

But, if a person can't the next step is taken.

"If we have to intervene two or three times there's fines. But, it's just a tough issue to work with...Dogs bark by nature and some bark more than others."

Fine penalties range from $100 to $2,500 depending on the violation.

Dogs not on leashes are also dealt with under this ordinance.

He explained, "People are required to have an animal on a leash in city limits or they are to be penned up or chained up."

If a dog is reported loose then it can be picked up and taken to the Greene County Humane Shelter (GCHS).

"What happens is Animal Control Officer Chuck Botsford will pick the animal up...," Jerrell explained, noting that it is held for a certain period at the GCHS.

The LPD has the only full-time animal control officer in the county, he noted.

"I think it's in everybody's best interest to keep animals penned up or on a leash. The thing I hear most commonly is 'My dog is a good dog and wouldn't ever bite anyone'," the police chief explained.

That may be true around the dog's owner, he added. But, dogs act differently around strangers.

"It's all around safer for the animals and the citizens to keep the animals on a leash or penned up," he added.

The ordinance defines actions by animals that constitute a public nuisance as the following:

* Attacks other animals or persons.

*Barks, whines, howls, cries, whimpers or makes sounds common to its species, continuously for 15 minutes or for a total of 20 minutes in a one-hour period.

*Interferes with a person passing by or passing vehicles.

* Damages private or public property.

* Defecates upon public or private property, and the owner refuses to clean up the pet's mess.

This ordinance also clearly states actions by humans that constitute a public nuisance in the proper conduct, care and treatment of animals as the following:

* Is prevented from running freely on property other than private property owned or lawfully occupied by its owner by means of a leash, animal-appropriate chain or other physical restraint.

* Is not transported in the open bed of a vehicle unless confined in a proper manner to prevent the animal from jumping or being thrown out of the vehicle.

* Is kept clean, healthy and not confined or forced to sit, stand or lie in excrement.

* Has sufficient wholesome food and water.

* Has a proper and adequate structure that is clean, offers protection from the elements and allows the animal to stand, sit and lie down without restriction.

* Receives proper and necessary veterinary care for treatment of illness of injury.

* Is not beaten, cruelly treated, overloaded or overworked.

* Is not abandoned, neglected tortured.

* Does not become a public nuisance.

* Does not bite, kick, butt, claw, attack or otherwise create a danger to the health and/or safety of other animals or human beings.

* Is properly vaccinated.

* Is not left unattended in a vehicle when conditions in the vehicle constitute a health hazard.

* Does not defecate on the property of another unless the person responsible immediately removes the feces.