Bogata Police Department reported loose dogs in its city “has become a big problem,” and plans to make a change as the department has been lenient with the issue “for far too long.”
“It is not the desire of the police department to have your dog taken to the pound, however the problem is getting out of control,” the department said in a release.
The department, over the previous month, has seen an increase in dogs running loose around Bogata, which has led to more calls and complaints – “dogs tearing up people’s property as well as several calls where a dog has bit someone.
“If we see anyone’s dogs running loose in the city, we will attempt to find the owner and give them a chance to rectify the situation,” the department said. “We understand sometimes dogs get out.”
The police department said if the pet runs loose in the city “multiple times,” the animal will then be taken to the Clarksville pound. For someone to get their pet out of the pound, a citation will be issued for violating city ordinance. They will also be responsible for Clarksville Pound’s storage fees, and once both are paid, the owner will then get their dog back.
According to Bogata city ordinance 98-06, it is a nuisance for the owner of any dog or cat to permit or allow such to run or be at large upon any public street, highway, sidewalk or other public ground or property or any unfenced land within the corporate limits of the city.
According to the police department, state law and city ordinance require both cats and dogs to be vaccinated between the ages of three and four months. If the animal is not vaccinated, then violators will be cited. The department said if the animal bites someone and has not been vaccinated, it will be quarantined for 10 days and the owner will be cited and responsible for quarantining fees.
“This could result in costing the owner several hundred dollars. The average cost of a rabies vaccination is less than $20,” the department said. “Please see your local veterinarian and have your cat or dog vaccinated and keep your dogs on a leash or inside a suitable enclosure.”
–
Like and follow MyParisTexas.com on Facebook, and share this story – Reporting local news in Paris and Lamar County, Texas.
