Tag that pup!
By Brandy Nance (Contact)
Originally published 01:12 p.m., January 17, 2008
Updated 01:12 p.m., January 17, 2008
Photo, Carly Pearson/Illustration, Brady Scott
The reason to get an animal tag is simple — if your pet gets lost, law enforcement can help get your pet back to you.
Lt. Pat Ford of the Emporia Police Department said the cost of tags in Emporia is $10 for unsterilized animals and $3 for animals that are neutered or spayed. Proof of a rabies vaccination must be presented to obtain a license. And inside the city limits, it’s required.
“All pet owners are required to get animal tags,” Ford said.
In 2006, 315 licenses were sold; 387 were sold in 2007.
“I know there are more pets than that (in Emporia),” Ford said.
Emporia’s running-at-large ordinance, adopted in 1986, states that “it is unlawful for the owner or harborer of a dog or cat to permit the same to run at large.” The fine for animals running at large is $30 plus $60 in court costs.
An animal is considered to be running at large “when the dog or cat is not confined by a building, fence, cage or within a closed vehicle; or when the dog or cat is not restrained by means of a lead, leash, rope, chain or cord held by the owner or harborer; or when the dog or cat is not securely fastened by a rope, chain or cord to the ground, a tree or structure with strength sufficient to keep the dog or cat within the limits of the owner’s or harborer’s premises.”
Ford said the reason for requiring animal tags isn’t complicated.
“The reason is simple,” he said. “So we can get pets back to their owners. A lot of times that doesn’t happen and we don’t get the pet back to the owner.”
Outside a micro-chip, law enforcement has no way to find out who the owner is if an animal is running at large. In 2006, 550 calls of dogs at large were called in. Animals with no identification are taken to the animal shelter, where they are held for three to four days. After that initial period, animals are put up for adoption (if they are adoptable) — and that’s based on if there is space or not, Ford said. Ford said the animal could be a good-natured animal, but if there is no space, it could end up being euthanized. This could be prevented simply by having a tag for a pet, Ford said.
“It could be a good dog or cat,” Ford said. “But we don’t have the space.”
Animal tags can be purchased at the police department during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., from clerical personnel. Animals must be at least six months old and the owner needs to bring a copy of the animal’s current rabies vaccination.
In Neighboring towns:
- Americus: Pets are not allowed to run at large in Americus. Animal tags are $2 for a non-sterilized animal and $1 for a sterilized animal. Proof of rabies vaccinations is required. After Jan. 31, there’s extra .50 late fee per month.
- Hartford: $3 for male; $3 for spayed female; $8 for unspayed female. Tags are required for any dog in the city. Proof of rabies vaccination is required.
- Olpe: $3 for sterilized animals; $10 for non-sterilized animals. Proof of rabies vaccination required.
- Reading: $5 for male and spayed female; $10 for non-spayed female. Proof of rabies vaccination required.
If your pet is lost:
- Animal Control: Arrangements to claim or adopt pets at the city animal shelter at 12th Avenue and Hatcher Street can be made by calling 340-6345 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. seven days a week except holidays.
- Humane Society: To report a lost or found pet, call the Humane Society at 342-4477 or (866) 342-4477.
Comments
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Posted by Hillbilly (anonymous) on January 17, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this just seems to me a easy and slippery way for the county to begin charging ALL county residents to register their dogs for dog tags, lets slide it through the gazette using the city as an example. This would really bring in a lot of tax money to help pay the commissioners pay hike, JMO Remember, the city and county will be as one for law enforcement. .........chasing those bad doggies
Posted by food4thought (anonymous) on January 17, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This town does not care if your animal is missing. This is strictly for the CASH. Don't let them fool you that is the only reason. Squeeze all the money out of us that you can Emporia. Maybe that money will go to the street cleaning crew for snow removal since they do such a great job.haha
Posted by neighbor (anonymous) on January 17, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The tags are more about ensuring animals are vaccinated against rabies than anything else. The fines are usually higher for getting caught without license/shots than what it costs to follow the law by getting them. I think they should require them county wide to prevent the spread of rabies. I know of one confirmed case of it in SouthWestern Lyon Co last year, a co-worker's animal had to be put down that had it.
Posted by neighbor (anonymous) on January 17, 2008 at 9:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe the black Helicopters flying around their homes dropped warning phamplets. :P
Posted by traceygraham (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
All pets should be vaccinated. All pets should be licensed. All pets should have tags. Pure and simple.
These tags are not expensive ($10 even if you haven't done the responsible thing and sterilized your pet, a mere $3 if you have) and should be considered part of the cost of owning a pet. Annual vaccinations are more expensive than the tags, but they are also the responsibility of any pet owner. If you own a pet, you should be willing to pay the associated costs. If not, you don't deserve a pet.
A license for any non-sterilized pet should cost more than that for a sterilized pet. I cannot fathom why Hartford and Reading charge more for unsterilized females than males. I'm sure there's some reason but I can't imagine what it is.
Owners of unsterilized females already have the incentive of avoiding unwanted puppies to inspire them to spay their pets. An unsterilized male can impregnate multiple females, and the owner of that male may bear none of the consequences. If a higher license fee for males would help to increase rates of neutering, Hartford and Reading should consider this.
Posted by traceygraham (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That's one heck of a big "IF" Kstrebuchet. IF _all_ animals were sterilized, indeed. Do you really believe that will ever happen? Talk about a straw man argument.
In the meantime - in the REAL world - unwanted puppies and kittens are "disposed of" every day. People dump them in the country or at the shelter. We taxpayers pay the costs of having animal control pick them up, shelter them and in all too many cases, euthanize them.
I don't mind my taxes supporting shelters either. I don't mind making donations to the Humane Society and the Buck Fund, because the problem exists that we do indeed have unwanted animals, and to not help out is inhumane.
I can handle the money. What I can't stand is animals in pain. Animals abandoned on highways (I have one), or campgrounds (I have one of those too), or out on a country road somewhere (several of my friends have one or more of these).
Where do the unwanted animals come from? from non-sterilized pets. It really is that simple.
Furthermore, sterilized pets are freed from the "need" to procreate, which makes them calmer, less aggressive, and less likely to wander from home. In general, they live happier lives.
And where do you get off calling my opinion crap? Isn't my opinion as valid as yours, Kstrebuchet (anonymous), whoever you are? Let's try to be civil, shall we?
Posted by traceygraham (anonymous) on January 21, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My name _is_ Tracey Graham. Has been for years. Not likely to change any time soon.
Posted by ksfarmer (anonymous) on January 21, 2008 at 10:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's OK Tracey..........obviously kstreebucket doesn't read the Gazette or he'd know you from the farmer's market food contests w/photo, or on the local KVOE,you have also been a spokesperson for the market. Good Job! He just always likes to have the last word in on most of these posts......don't answer him. Let him think he knows best........ we all know different.
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