Keep Fido on a leash or face a fine
Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Barking dogs and those allowed to wander without a leash are annoying to many people and could end up costing their owners some cold, hard cash.
The Bella Vista Police Department has a full-time animal-control officer who responds to complaints by residents.
We respond to every call, officer Merle Weaver said.
Were seeing an increase on everything to do with dogs, he said. Through July of this year, 1, 122 calls have been documented, compared to 1, 683 calls for all of 2007.
Animal-control regulations were passed by the Bella Vista City Council in March.
It is a violation to let dogs or cats run at large even on the owners property unless the owner is present and the animal is under voice command. When dogs are off the premises, they must be restrained by a leash, or risk a citation.
Weaver is not only authorized to issue citations, he has the power of arrest.
When the animal-control officer confiscates an animal, it can cost the owner some money.
First offenses do not incur a penalty if the dog is licensed with the city; however, owners of unlicensed dogs will pay $ 10. Proof of a city tag must be provided before the animal is released back to its owner.
The second impounding results in a reclamation fee of $ 25, while the third and any subsequent impounding is $ 75.
More than 500 dogs were impounded at the Bella Vista Animal Shelter last year, and more than 300 have been delivered by Weaver through July 2008.
Weaver also may issue citations for vicious or nuisance dogs and cruelty to animals.
Identical to the procedure for other citations, such as for speeding, the ticketed individual must appear before the District Court in Bentonville and pay the fines if found guilty.
The officer handles barking-dog complaints through discussion with the owner and educating them about city regulations.
Owners of dogs that bark at night can expect police to knock on their doors and ask them to restrain the animals.
One affidavit concerning
Copies of the ordinance are available at City Hall and the Bella Vista Animal Shelter.
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