Pet owners beware: New laws could put animals behind bars

Steve Martini
dm Staff writer

Times are changing and city ordinances are scurrying to catch up.

In the 1950s, Timmy and Lassie were inseparable. The story of a boy and his dog, who often times ran back to town to get help, is meeting some stipulations in the year 2000. According to the new Animal Control Ordinances passed by Mayor Pat Lamar and the Board of Alderman, July 1, 1999, 'any animal found running at large shall be surrendered to the Oxford Animal Shelter within 48 hours.' So, if Lassie were running back to Oxford without Timmy today, he could wind up in the pound.

Leash laws, licensing requirements and vaccination ordinances were also included within this law. Dogs living within the city limits are required to be on a leash, some type of restraint or under the direct control of someone at all times.

According to Karen Nixon, office manager at the Animal Clinic of Oxford, "Exceptions are not made for dogs living strictly within a house because all dogs must go outside to urinate and should then be kept under some type of restraint."

Owners can be fined if their dog barks or yelps incessantly or makes any other noises that disturb neighbors. Persons caring for any dog are required to clean any waste if the dog defecates on a city sidewalk.

Dogs are also not allowed within the Oxford City Cemetery on or off a leash at any time.

"I think this law is helpful to the general public because there are problems with dogs running out of control in urban areas," said Shelia Lewis, an Oxford resident and dog owner. "I am a firm believer that dogs should be kept under control and not causing damage to other people's property; or getting into the street where they could get killed."

However, pet restraint and licensing is not the end to this law. Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies if they are older than three months. Owners of cats are also bound to this section of the ordinance. Owners of cats or dogs found without having proper vaccinations pay a non-compliance fee along with a vaccination fee.

There are always fines established for those who do not comply with the law and this ordinance is no exception.

"For dogs picked up the first time, we usually just make owners pay for the license," said Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society manager Lois La Seur.

Once a dog has a license, however, owners cannot get complacent and allow them to roam free through the city of Oxford. This could inevitably cost you large amounts of money. The penalty for the first offense after licensing is a $25 fine. A second offense is a fee of $50 while a third offense is a $100 fine. Each fine does not include fees for impoundment, daily boarding charges, court costs or additional fees if the animal is not properly licensed or vaccinated.

The law is enforceable by the Animal Control Officer of Oxford.

According to a pamphlet about the ordinance, the law was established and enforced to 'protect you and the animals in our city', as printed in a pamphlet regarding the ordinance, published by the Oxford Animal Shelter.

"Basically, this is a way of encouraging people to keep identification on their pets," said Le Seur.

Licenses must be purchased annually for each dog within a household. Licenses may be obtained for five dollars from the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society, located 5.7 miles south of Oxford on Highway 7. For an additional dollar, licenses may also be obtained at the Animal Clinic of Oxford, located behind the Billiards Club on Jackson Avenue.

For more information visit one of these two buildings, e-mail the Humane Society at OLHS@aol.com or call the Humane Society at 236-7631.