Animal Control

DOG Laws
By Terri Baker ACO

I would like to take a moment and update everyone on some new and old laws. Education is a very important part of my job as Animal Control Officer. Responsible pet ownership is not always easy or common sense. Laws are changing and more stringent laws are passing all the time. Finally after a lot of work we have a Felony animal cruelty law here in Kentucky. “I didn’t know” is not an excuse. Ignorance of the law does not make you innocent. So if you are a pet owner take a moment to brush up on your State Statutes, County laws, and local laws. These are only a few of the most common laws I enforce every day.

State laws include:
1.All dogs must have a Rabies vaccination and wear the tag. A licensed Veterinarian must give this vaccine. (No do-it-yourself vaccine!)
2. Female dogs must be confined while in heat. Female dog owners are liable for territorial males becoming aggressive and wandering. A spayed female will never go to court for this violation! Another good reason to spay your dog!
3. Dogs running at large from sunset to sunrise are also against state statute. Kentucky State law allows police or animal control to kill such dogs. However, I feel court, fines and altering are much more practical.
4. All dogs must have adequate space, food, water and vet care. If you can not afford to supply ALL of these, do you and your dog a favor and get rid of him. It is also illegal to beat, mutilate, torture or kill a dog.

Campbell County Laws include:
1. All dogs must have a county tag. This tag is only $5 and can be purchased at the Shelter (859-635-2819) or the Fiscal Court Building on 4th St. in Newport. You must show proof of rabies vaccination.
2. All dogs that are housed outside for any period of time need adequate shelter. The definition of adequate is floor, roof and sides. A plastic swimming pool turned upside down or under the porch is not ADEQUATE.
3. Dogs must be restrained while riding in the back of a pickup truck. To me this was common sense, but now it is finally law. I thought any unsecured cargo was dangerous in traffic.
4. A dangerous dog that acts aggressive or has bitten has special requirements. Homeowners insurance may even cancel you or your landlord for harboring such a dog.
5. If you feed a stray dog for 3 days or more it is yours. You assume responsibility when you feed it and do not call animal control to pick it up.
6. Any stray dog must be held for 5 days only before becoming property of the shelter.

City Ordinances may vary. Bellevue includes the following:
1. Pit Bulls or Pit mixes are considered dangerous animals. Muzzles and a leash while on public property are a must. They can not be chained up outside to ANY inanimate object, such as; a tree, fence, cable, porch, pole, truck or car. Consider yourself lucky to even be able to own one. A lot of cities are banning them entirely. I recommend they not be housed outside unattended. However, ordinance states if they must be housed outside a kennel or pen with a top and a locked gate is required. This cannot touch the border of you property line. This gives people and the dog a visual boundary. Chained dogs bite more often than dogs that are not kept chained. I have to ask, what is the point in owning a dog if it is out back in a pen ignored for most of its life?
2. When walking your dog, on leash of course, you must pick up any stool left by your dog. This is not just a sanitary issue, but a neighborly, respectful thing to do. Also do not forget your own yard. Be sanitary and scoop your yard regularly.
3. Excessive barking is a nuisance at any hour day or night. Another great reason not to leave your dog out all day while you work. Your bored, unattended and lonely dog can become a neighbor’s worst nightmare. They like you and hate to complain, but your dog is driving them crazy.
 

Respectfully,
Terri Baker
Animal Control Officer
Northern Kentucky Animal Control