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Douglas County Animal Services Helping animals and people live harmoniously
Tel: 303-660-7529 4556 Castleton Court Fax: 303-660-7376
Barking Dogs Incessant barking can be very disturbing to the peace and quiet of a neighborhood. In addition, it violates the Douglas County ordinance: R-999-177 1.05 (1) (h) Barking Dog The dog’s owner fails to prevent his or her dog, regardless of whether the dog is on or off the owner’s premises, from disturbing the peace of any other person by loud, habitual, or persistent barking, howling, yelping, or whining. When DCAS is contacted regarding a barking dog, the Animal Welfare Officer will first issue a warning and notice to comply on the basis of a written statement from the complainant. If a second written statement is provided a Penalty Assessment can be issued. Each violation is considered a separate offence, each of which is subject to a separate penalty. Violations begin at $50 per animal, and increase in cost for the second and third. A summons to court can result. No one likes getting a ticket of any kind, and many people find it especially painful to get a ticket related to a beloved pet. Some people feel that it is the nature of dogs to bark; do not see barking as something they can control; and do not think barking hurts anyone. Excessive barking is something you can control. Dogs normally bark to alert others, to request something, because they are uncomfortable or bored. As a dog owner you need to determine why your dog is barking and work with your dog to mediate the undesired behavior. Try limiting the dog’s time outside, provide interesting chew toys and teach your dog to use them, take your dog on walks, make a digging pit, and using visual barriers are all great ides to control and reduce barking. Animal Bites
CRS 18-9-204.5 Unlawful Ownership of a Dangerous Dog The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that dangerous dogs are a serious and widespread threat to the safety and welfare of citizens throughout the state because of the number and serious nature of attacks by such dogs. A person commits ownership of a dangerous dog if such person owns, poses, harbors, keeps, has a financial property interest in, or has custody or control over a dangerous dog. R-999-177 1.05 (1) VICIOUS DOG A dog owner commits a Class 2 misdemeanor if: (a) The owner’s dog, while unlicensed, bites a person, causing bodily injury; (b) the owner’s dog, while running at large, bites or attacks a person, causing bodily injury; or (c) The owner’s dog, while off the owner’s premises but under the control of the owner, bites or attacks a person, causing bodily injury. (d) The owner’s dog, while on the owner’s premises, bites or attacks a person, causing bodily injury. Animal Care and Control in Douglas County
Animal ordinances in Douglas County address only dogs, so primarily, officers will investigate complaints regarding violations such as dogs running loose, barking, aggressive behavior and bites. In addition they will handle calls regarding pets of any kind involving neglect, cruelty, injured animals, numbers of animals, sheltering and sanitation. DCAS will also assist citizens with lost or found animals by taking reports and attempting to identify owners. DCAS is co-located with the Dumb Friends League Buddy Center in Castle Rock, Colorado. The Buddy Center provides shelter and care for strays, adoptions and educational assistance to the community. How to Solve Animal Problems If you are experiencing problems with a neighborhood animal, the Humane Society recommends the following steps:
Cruelty to Animals Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) and Douglas County Ordinances include provisions for the care of animals. Animals need adequate food, water, and protection from the weather. When investigating accusations of mistreatment, Humane Officers will first try to inform and educate the accused of the violation and how to remedy it. Officers may confiscate mistreated animals for their protection and welfare. CRS 18-9-202 Cruelty to Animals A person commits cruelty to animals if he knowingly or with criminal negligence overdrives, overloads, overworks, tortures, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance, unnecessarily or cruelly beats, needlessly mutilates, needlessly kills, carries in or upon any vehicles in a cruel or reckless manner, or otherwise mistreats or neglects any animal, or causes or procures it to be done, or having the charge and custody of any animal, fails to provide it with proper food, drink, or protection from the weather, or abandons it. R-999-177 1.05 (5) Neglect No person or owner shall fail to provide food, water, shelter or the normal standards of care consistent with the species, age or physical condition of the pet animal. The term, “shelter”, shall mean an adequate structure that is in good repair, provides protection from the weather, provides shade from the direct rays of the sun and provides appropriate ventilation. Leash Laws
R-999-177 1.05 (1) (b) Dog at Large A dog owner is in violation of this law if an owner fails to properly control or allows a dog to run at large in the County. This ordinance does not apply in designated areas where dogs are permitted to run off leash. Control means the restraint of a dog by means of a leash or similar tether no more that thirty (30) feet in length or by means of confinement within a fully enclosed area adequate to ensure that the dog will not escape. Run at Large means off the premises of the dog owner and not under the real and immediate physical control of an owner able to control the dog. What To Do If You Lose Or Find A Pet The DCAS’s goal for lost & found pets is to reunite them with their owners. When your pet is missing or a pet is found, DCAS is a good place to start your search, or to report your find. When you call DCAS for a lost pet, the a lost report will be completed. We will also suggest other agencies you should contact to place reports. You should visit kennels and shelters every couple days. Place ads in area newspapers. Check around your neighborhood, ask residents if they may have seen your pet, and contact local veterinary hospitals. If you have found a pet, contact DCAS to complete a found report. Sometimes DCAS can match your information with a lost report to reunite pets with owners. If you choose to care for the stray while looking for its owner, you should: place ads in local papers and check with neighbors as well. For most of us our pets are an important, cherished member of our family. Make sure yours are wearing their collars, complete with identification and rabies information. Microchip implants are also a great way to make sure your animal can make it home safely. Dog Licensing R-999-177 1.05 (1) (a) Licensing Every owner within the County shall obtain and maintain a current rabies certificate and tag issued by a licensed veterinarian for each dog that he or she owns after the dog is four months old or within one month of being brought into Douglas County. Every dog required to have a tag shall wear its tag at all times. The tag shall be the County license and no other license is required. The Rabies Tag shall be the County License and no other license is required. Who to Call For Help
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DCAS monitors all
domestic animal bite cases for Douglas County. Regardless of the extent of
injuries, if the skin is broken the bite must be reported. Animals involved in
bites to humans must undergo a ten-day quarantine. The purpose of the quarantine
is to monitor the animals health for warning signs the animal may be infected
with the rabies virus. Such animals may be quarantined at home or at a shelter,
depending upon the situation.
The Humane Society
of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR) is a private, nonprofit organization, dedicated
to the welfare of domesticated animals. HSRRP is contracted with Douglas County
to provide animal control services to the citizens of Douglas County and enforce
Douglas County animal ordinances. Douglas County Animal Services serves the
community by rescuing animals in distress, re-uniting lost pets with their
owners, and teaching people how to properly care for and respect animals.
Officers are on the road seven days a week, 365 days per year. After hours,
which varies seasonally, an animal welfare officer is on emergency call 24 hours
through the Douglas County Sheriff’s office.
Animals
must be kept under control for their own protection and to preserve the public’s
health and safety. Dogs, livestock, and other animals found off the owner’s or
keeper’s property are called “strays” and may be impounded. The owner or keeper
may also be fined.