By Chadron Police Department
The Chadron Police Department is reminding all residents of the importance of responsible pet ownership to ensure the safety and well-being of animals, their owners, and the community.
With the warmer weather, the Chadron Police Department is seeing an increase in calls related to stray animals, barking dog complaints, and other pet-related incidents. Officers are urging pet owners to take the following steps to promote a safe and respectful neighborhood:
• Restraint ordinance: City ordinance 6-204- The owner shall keep his or her dog under restraint and shall not permit the dog to be at large. This helps prevent bites, fights, and traffic accidents. Restraint under city ordinance is defined as- if it is controlled by a leash or chain held by a competent person, on or within a vehicle being driven or parked on public property, or within an adequate fence on the property limits of its owner or keeper.
• Licensing and Identification: Make sure your pet is licensed and wears a collar with identification tags. A contact phone number is also recommended.
• Clean Up After Your Pets: City ordinance 6-303- It shall be unlawful for the owner of every animal to fail to remove any excreta deposited by his or her animals on public walks, recreation areas, or private property. Always pick up after your dog during walks. Proper disposal of waste keeps public areas clean and prevents health risks.
• Provide Adequate Shelter and Care: Pets left outdoors should have access to shelter, food, and clean water. Extreme temperatures can be dangerous or even fatal.
• Vaccinations and Health: Keep your pet’s vaccinations up to date to prevent the spread of diseases, including rabies.
Violations of our local animal control ordinances may result in citations and if your pet is impounded at our local impound, it can add up in fees that could have been avoided. Impound cost is an automatic $40.00 fee and a $20.00 per day fee for boarding. We ask everyone who owns a pet to be responsible pet owners and help make our community and our pets safe.
For more information, or to report concerns about animal welfare, contact the Chadron Police Department (308)