Animal Ordinances in the City of Gillette

In the May 1 edition of the Gillette News Record Blotter, Fur Kids Foundation board members saw a report of a vicious animal that caught our attention:

300 BLOCK WEST REDWOOD STREET: Police and animal control officers were called to a home in the area after two dogs broke into a yard and killed a Pomeranian. The dogs were later released to their owner. It is unclear whether the dogs’ owner will be charged with a crime, Wasson said.

To better inform the residents of Campbell County, we reached out to the City of Gillette Animal Control office with a few questions. We heard back from Animal Control Officer Adam Ostrom. Below are our questions to Adam as well as his answers. We have also provided links back to as many ordinances as possible.

Fur Kids: What animal laws and ordinances in Gillette/Campbell County and the state that pet owners should be aware of and where can someone find them?

Animal Control: For the City of Gillette, check out Chapter Four of the City Code concerns animals in the city. There are only two areas of the city where animals are required to be leashed: McNanaman Park and the Cemetery.

I do not know if the County requires leashes in populated areas (like at CAM-PLEX Park, which is a County property). Please note: Fur Kids Foundation could not find Campbell County ordinances online.

You can find the state ordinances online as well:

• Title 11, Chapter 31: Agriculture, Livestock and Other Animals
  
• Title 23: Game and Fish: Note, some applications apply to domesticated animals & pets, for example: 23-3-109-Use of dogs; dogs injuring big or trophy game animals may be killed; citation of owners of dogs harassing game animals; penalties.

Fur Kids: What can a resident do if someone else's dog attacked their dog, or another person?

Animal Control: Notify their local Police Department or Sheriff’s Office as soon as possible (City/County problems are dispatched respectively). For immediate aid, call 911.

If the victim’s dog was in a place where the owner had a legal right to be (not on someone else’s property without permission), a citation can be issued against the attacking dogs’ owner(s) for contributing to an animal nuisance. If the dog (or cat) attacks a person in a place they are legally entitled to be (not on someone else’s property without permission), a citation can be issued against the dogs’ owner for a vicious animal.

If there are medical bills or loss of property (dead dog or cat) the victim can seek restitution but only through a citation and court appearance.

Fur Kids: What happens if their dog attacks another person’s animal, or bites another person?

Animal Control: Notify their local Police Department or Sheriff’s Office as soon as possible (City/County problems are dispatched respectively). Again, for immediate aid, call 911.

If the animal (dog or cat) breaks the skin with their teeth on a person, this is considered a bite and an enforced quarantine occurs. City or County Animal Control Officers will impound the animal for a period of ten (10) days for observation. After the quarantine ends the victim is notified of the animal’s status.

Owner’s can receive a citation if their dog (or cat) bites or physically attacks a person or animal if the incident occurs where the victim is legally allowed to be. If someone comes onto the owner’s property without permission and is bitten by a family dog or cat, the owner is likely not to be at fault.

If there are any medical bills as a result and the owner is at fault, the owner may be court ordered to pay the restitution as well as court costs.

If you have other questions that you would like Fur Kids Foundation to ask Animal Control, please comment below or contact us.