Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Animal Control Becomes A Reality

Animal control became a reality in Gurdon during 1998.

But, it took a half-cent sales tax passed in Nov. 1997, to get the job done.

At the close of 1998, nearly 85 animals had been removed from the city's streets, making them safer for mail carriers, children, senior citizens and anyone simply out for a walk around town.

However, the ordinance ran into some problems before being passed by the Gurdon City Council. The way the ordinance was originally written the section defining an at-large dog had to be re-written and made clear to avoid possible lawsuits from homeowners.

Now, in Gurdon, an at-large dog is an animal off the premises of its owner, one not controlled by its owner, the immediate family or another person designated by the owner, the immediate family by leash, cord, chain or other device suitable for controlling the animal in question.

In addition, the ordinance required all dogs in the city limits to be vaccinated for rabies on an annual basis. The dogs must also wear tags showing proof of vaccination.

The fines dog owners face for not obeying the city's animal control laws range between $100 and $500.

Dogs picked up by Gurdon's animal control officer are impounded for a maximum of five days, with photos of the animals posted at City Hall.

After five days have passed, the animal will be destroyed, sold or adopted out.

Gurdon's animal control law became effective on July 8, 1998, after the ordinance was officially passed at the June council meeting.

The issue of animal control was spearheaded by council member Mickey Jones, who fought for it almost immediately after joining the council.

Dogs picked up locally are transported to the animal shelter in Arkadelphia.

Getting the animal control program underway took a while as the city could do nothing until money from the sales tax actually began coming in and accumulating so equipment could be purchased and an officer hired.

At the August meeting of the city's governing body, Gurdon Mayor Rick Smith joked about stray dogs being "criminals" in the city, as the ordinance was in effect.

Carroll Martin was hired at the meeting to be the animal control officer, with his duties to include maintenance of City Hall.

The position is full-time for Martin, with all hours over 40 worked being swapped for comp time.

From August to December, Martin picked up more than 80 stray animals, with relatively few complaints from the city's residents.