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County finds tough going enforcing pets lawsKerr residents ignoring rules; but that could prove costlyBy Elizabeth Pavollnl Times Staff WriterKERRVILLE—There is at least one law in Kerr County that many people simply ignore.And for those people lately, ignoring the law is costing them money and sometimes the lives of beloved family members — their pets.In November 1990, Kerr County Commissioners’ Court adopted a Rabies and Animal Control Order which says all dogs and cats must be vaccinated for rabies, with appropriate tags worn by the animals.It also requires all dogs and cats to be registered yearly, with reports submitted to the Kerr County Environmental Health Department; and all dogs and cats must be restrained to prevent them from roaming from their homes.While rabies vaccinations cost little more than $2 to $10, registration costs $2 to $5, and restraining the animal means an inexpensive pen or chain. The price of not doing these things can add up to more than $200 in fines and fees.Recently appointed Kerr County Animal Control OfmWe are really trying to step up enforcement of this ordinance as much as possible. It’s not the dogs’ fault, it’s the owners’ fault.” _ __ — Eddie Wrightficer Eddie Wright, in the month he has been in the position, has picked up 30 dogs and 33 cats in the county and answered more than 140 calls of complaints of animals running loose. In that month, he has racked up 22,038 miles on his truck.“We are really trying to step up enforcement of this ordinance as much as possible,” Wright said. “It’s not the dogs’ fault, it’s the owners’ fault.”So many people are ignoring the law, Wright said, eventhe dog of a prominent county official was picked up twice for running loose just last week.The ordinance was passed largely to prevent the spread of rabies, a deadly, painful disease which attacks the central nervous system and is characterized by choking, convulsions and the inability to swallow liquids,“We want to bring attention to this problem and the best way to get people’s attention is to hit them in the poeketbook,” Wright said.Impoundment fees of animals picked up by Wright and recovered by their owners range from $15 on first offense for a registered and neutered animal to $75 for a nonregistered, non-neutured animal on second offense. On third violation, pet owners can be filed upon, facing charges of a class O misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $200.David Litke, director of the KCEHD, said one main prob-lem with getting people to obey the ordinance is the myth that living in the “country” allows them to let pets run free.'We’ve got to get rid of this attitude of “This doesn't apply to me, it applies to everybody else’,” Litke said.When Wright spots an animal or gets a call on an animal, he begins his search for the offender. He carries a video recorder for proof that the dog or cat was at-large. Wright gives warnings to those he can, but animals which appear vicious, are causing damage to property or are repeat offenders, are picked up and impounded.Owners have three days to claim their animals and pay fees. If an animal is not claimed or adopted in that time, it is humanely killed.“Which is another thing,” Litke said. “Those (dead) animals take up a lot of space in the landfill.”Nearly 30 tons of animal carcasses were hauled to the landfill last year alone after being picked up by city and county animal control officials and killed because no one claimed them or adopted them.Recently appointed Kerr County Animal Control Officer Eddie Wright has already corralled 30 dogs and 33 cats in the county in the past month, and answered more than 140 calls of complaints of animals running loose. (Times photo by B.C. Dozier)Rabies battle being won nearbyBy Elizabeth PavollnlTimes Staff WriterKERRVILLE — Successful animal control has been credited by experts with all but eradicating the deadly disease of rabies in counties near Kerr.Bordering Kerr County on the north, Kimble County is one of those success stories.Last year, Kimble lead the state in rabies cases with 17. The disease was found throughout species groups with one dog, three skunks,four foxes, two cats, one raccoon, one ringtail, two bobcats, two goats and one sheep discovered with the virus.This year, not one case has been found and Jeff Sanders, zoonosis control specialist for public health regions 9 and 10, credits a strict animal control program for the decline. Sutton County, next door to Kimble, has also seen a successful animal control program clean up rabies this year.Seeping dogs and cats vaccinated and restrained is the number one thing,” Sanderssaid, adding that pets are likely to interact with any number of wild animals.Rabies, however, remains a problem throughout the state and iB rapidly spreading from wildlife, which few people come in contact with, to pets — side-by-side companions for many people. Even livestock can get rabies, and because few ranchers mil suspect rabies when their cow or horse starts acting strangely, the risk is high for spread to humans.
Newspaper Details
Kerrville Daily Times
Kerrville, Texas, US
Sun, Nov 28, 1993
Page 26
Full Page
Clipped by
Daryl W.
NA, 23 Aug 2023
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