Dog Concerns Surface Again In County Meeting

Dog Concerns Surface Again In County Meeting

By David Howell

Editor

WATER VALLEY – The recurring topic of dog problems in the county surfaced in Monday’s Board of Supervisor meeting after Shadwick Daniels complained that neighborhood dogs had killed several goats on his property located at County Road 85 outside Coffeeville.

Daniels also said he had warned his neighbors to restrain their dogs and even was told to shoot a dog causing problems.

“I don’t want to shoot a dog. There needs to be a law against dogs running loose in the community. I want to know why we don’t have a law on the books where if a person’s dog is on your property, you can report it and something can be done about it,” Daniels said. He also told supervisors that he had contacted the sheriff’s department and was told there is no law in the county regulating loose dogs.

Daniels added that the dogs were a nuisance, causing damage on his property.

“It seems like the dogs know when you are not around,” Daniels continued.

Board Attorney John Crow explained the county has a vicious dog ordinance, citing the 2012 law adopted by the county to regulate dogs deemed dangerous or potentially dangerous.

“You can shoot a dog if it is killing your livestock,” Crow also advised about state law.

“You have every right to defend your property, and that livestock is your property,” District Five Supervisor Gaylon Gray explained.

“You mess around and shoot a person’s dog and here comes the owner. What are you are going to do now?” Daniels asked. 

“Good point,” Board President Cayce Washing-ton agreed. “There should be a law so you don’t have to get involved in that,” Daniels explained.

“I agree with that,” District Three Supervisor Lee McMinn added.

“This is something we may need to review,” Washington continued, adding that a homeowner defending his livestock or property could face retaliation from the owner of the dog.  As the topic came to a close, Washington said supervisors would take a hard look at the issue. Gray also added that a leash law would be too restrictive in the county, especially for hunting dogs.  

The county’s vicious dog ordinance was also discussed in an April meeting after McMinn cited problems with the county law.  

“The dog gets the first bite,” McMinn answered, referring to the difficulty of deeming a dog vicious before a problem arises.

When drafted, the intent of the ordinance was to place responsibility on the dog owner prior to an actual problem as explained by Crow during a 2012 meeting. If the dog meets specific criteria, the owner is required to pay $50 and keep the dog properly restrained. The sheriff’s department is also required to make an assessment on a potential problem dog following a complaint. 

The ordinance identifies penalties for the first three offenses:

• First offense – up to 10 days in jail and a minimum $100 fine, no more than $200;

• Second offense, Mandatory 15 to 30 days jail time and a $200 to $500 fine and removal of the dog;

• Third offense – 30 to 60 days in jail, and a fine of $1,000 to $2,000 and removal of the dog.