Brownwood News – The Brownwood Police Department hosted a community meeting to receive input and feedback relating to the current Animal Control Ordinances on Tuesday, April 10th. More than 40 citizens and elected officials attended the meeting and others submitted feedback through phone calls and emails to the Department.
To address immediate issues, the most prevalent feedback from the participants was that stronger enforcement of existing ordinances was needed. According to Chief of Police Terry Nichols, “citizens are asking for residents with dogs to please properly restrain their pets.”
“We had more than 2900 calls for service in 2017 related to animals and many of these were for at large and unrestrained dogs. We believe this problem has also led to an increase in dog bite cases as well,” Nichols stated.
The Police Department is reminding all dog owners that it is unlawful to have an unrestrained dog in the City. Brownwood City Ordinance Section 14-82 states, “Every person who owns, keeps or is in charge of a dog shall restrain such dog at all times.” When at home, restraint can be in a secure fenced yard, inside of a residence, a properly sized kennel, or on some type of humane restraining device such as a dog run. When in public, dogs must be kept on a leash and under control. Residents are encouraged to repair any broken or damaged fences and pet restraining devices.
Animal Control Officers are now on duty 7 days a week. “We are asking for our residents with animals of any type to be responsible pet owners,” said Chief Nichols. “We will continue to educate residents about what responsible pet ownership means. However, effective May 1st, we will also start to strictly enforce our leash ordinances and unrestrained dog ordinances,” Nichols said. Fines for an unrestrained dog start at $200 plus a $66 court fee.
The current City of Brownwood Animal Control Ordinances can be found online at https://library.municode.com/tx/brownwood/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH14AN_ARTIIADEN_S14-41ANCOOFAU.
Residents with questions regarding the animal control ordinances or how to be a responsible pet owner may contact either Animal Control Officers Sarah Lopez (slopez@brownwoodtexas.gov) or Don Plate (dplate@brownwoodtexas.gov) at 325-646-2525.
