Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Animal control law passed

Pet owners in Clark County are now required to keep their pets under close supervision.

The Clark County Quorum Court, in its regular monthly meeting, Monday, June 11, passed an animal control ordinance for the entire county.

"The sheriff wanted a mechanism where he at least had some way to take action concerning animals that are a nuisance," said Clark County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Todd Turner.

Turner, along with the county's ordinance committee, developed the ordinance which will go into effect immediately.

Typically, an ordinance requires three readings over three meetings. However, a state of emergency was declared allowing the ordinance to be passed with one reading.

"The running at large of pets without control or supervision by owners is causing a serious health problem in the county, and an emergency is hereby declared to exist," the ordinance reads.

An ordinance was first discussed during last month's meeting after a four-year-old Okolona girl was bitten by several dogs. She had to be hospitalized at Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock.

Clark County Sheriff Troy Tucker said the dogs' owners were being cooperative, but there were no legal means for him to take action if the owners didn't cooperate.

The new ordinance is designed to help prevent other such attacks and make the owners liable in such instances.

The ordinance makes a distinction between vicious animals and animals that are a nuisance. A vicious attack by a pet will result in the owner automatically being summoned to court. Vicious behavior is defined as "any attack or bite or scratch or other damage inflicted by any animal."

If a pet is disturbing livestock, getting into people's trash, disturbing someone else's property or other such activity, the pet is considered a nuisance. If two reports are filed against such a pet, the owner may be brought to court.

Turner explained the clause concerning nuisance pets was intentionally ambiguous so the sheriff and his agents can decide if the pet's behavior warrants the owner going to court.

With the first offense under the ordinance, the owner may be fined up to $250 and any restitution. The second offense calls for a fine of up to $500 and any restitution.

The ordinance also allows the sheriff's office to pick up any pet if the owner cannot be located. The pet will then be kept for at least 10 days. If the owner is not found, the county can give the pet to another person or agency, or may destroy it.

The justices of the peace emphasized the law does not affect dogs used in hunting, nor is it intended to be a leash law for those not living in a city. The ordinance was passed unanimously.

The court also received a preliminary drawing of proposed renovations to the first floor of the jail.

The plans call for relocating the dispatcher's room to a more secure area separate from the prisoners. It creates a new kitchen and laundry room, and also includes a drunk tank and exam rooms.

The court still has not received a cost estimate for the building project. Final drawings and the cost should be ready by next month's meeting.

The JPs reviewed the drawing and took no action on the matter.

The court also approved a cleanup bill on the budget to appropriate funds and make additions and deletions to the county budget as needed.

In addition, the court addressed the needs of the county and circuit clerk's offices to have more filing room. The circuit clerk has the funds to purchase a new lateral filing system, but the county clerk had $7,500 given to her from the general fund.

Both offices have filled their cabinets. The new system would allow more files to be stored in the same amount of space. The court approved the purchase unanimously.