Written by Amanda Coers – The Brownwood Police Department held a community meeting on Tuesday, April 10th, at the Adams Street Community Center regarding animal control and city ordinances after a rise in animal calls, particularly dog bites, have been reported.
Animal Control Officers Sarah Lopez and Don Plate were present along with Brownwood Police Chief Terry Nichols, Assistant Police Chief James Fuller, Lieutenant James Kidd, and Lieutenant Troy Carroll. Members of the city staff were present as well as Mayor Stephen Haynes. Upcoming city election candidates Mike Tittle and Pat McLaughlin were also present.
“I know pets can be a very passionate conversation,” Chief Nichols said. “This is a great information gathering session for us. Our ordinance hasn’t been looked at since 1995 and this is a great opportunity to review it.”
Chief Terry Nichols welcomed over 30 attendees present for the meeting. A number of individuals present for the meeting were the victims of recent dog attacks.
“We’re not going to change the laws tonight,” Chief Nichols went on to say. “We’re going to discuss things and get some ideas out there.” The chief explained the police department will make recommendations to city council regarding changes to the current city ordinances if needed.
The Brownwood Police Department received 2,900 calls for animal control in 2017. The chief reported 465 dogs were taken into custody for release to their owner or transport to the shelter. Of the nearly 3,000 calls, 328 were regarding cats, and 207 involved wildlife. This year there are already over 500 calls regarding animals since January.
Animal bites are up 32 percent from 2016. Animal cruelty cases are up 25 percent.
Currently two animal control officers work 14 hour shifts and average eight calls for service per day each. Unrestrained dogs are an issue causing a large number of calls for the police department.
“We’re trying to get people to be responsible pet owners,” Chief Nichols said. “Sarah and Don love animals and they love people, they do everything they can to educate people to be responsible pet owners.”
Community members present during the meeting complained there is often little to no follow up after multiple calls to the same residences regarding animals. Chief Nichols answered by saying the department will be addressing information flow issues to ensure cases are seeing additional steps taken when needed.
“We’ve been doing the minimum necessary,” Chief Nichols said. “That is something we need to work on.”
Chief Nichols asked attendees if they felt it would be reasonable to increase fees and fines after multiple offenses. A large majority in the meeting voiced their approval.
Over the next few weeks the department will work on enforcing the current ordinances and considering new changes to the ordinances to be presented to the city council.
In Section 14-83 of the current ordinance, the language states no person can keep more than four dogs or cats, or a combination thereof, over ten weeks of age, in a residence.
The ordinance goes on to address “Dangerous Dogs” in Section 14-151, stating that once a dog has been declared dangerous by a judge, the owner is required to register the dog’s information with Animal Control, restrain the dog at all times on a leash or in a secure enclosure, and obtain liability insurance of at least $100,000 to cover damages from an attack by the dog.
The Brownwood Police Department has only seen five dogs declared dangerous by a judge in the last several years.
