Pet Matters
Western Arizona Humane Society
Victoria Cowper,
Community Relations Manager
This is a regular column, presented every two weeks to provide information about pet and animal care, including the legal responsibilities of pet ownership. We invite you to send your questions to answer in upcoming issues.
Please send your questions and comments to the Today's News Herald or directly to me a W.A.H.S. 855-5083 or wahs@ctaz.com
Western Arizona Humane Society is hosting the following community programs:
Tuesday, November 16th Pet First Aid Class, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Thursday, November 18th, Pet Grief Support Group, 7:00 pm
Saturday, November 20th Rabies Clinic, 10:00am to 12:00 pm
For more information on any of these programs please call 855-5083.
Does Lake Havasu City have any rules about animal control?
There are several city ordinances related to animal control. In addition, there are Mohave
County ordinances and Arizona state laws that address animal control issues.
Who enforces the animal control rules?
In Lake Havasu City, Animal Control Officers who work for the Western Arizona Humane Society enforce animal control ordinances and laws. WAHS is contracted by Lake Havasu City to investigate potential violations of the local, county and state rules.
In Mohave County, Animal Control Officers are county employees and conduct investigations throughout the county, excluding incorporated cities.
Is there a leash law?
Yes. Both Lake Havasu City and Mohave County ordinances require that dogs be under restraint (such as a leash) when not confined to an enclosure or the owners property, or when they are not under voice control of a competent person. That means that dogs are not permitted to run loose in an uncontrolled manner.
Are dog licenses required?
Yes. Both in Lake Havasu City and Mohave County require dog licenses for dogs older than 4 months.
Residents of Lake Havasu City are required to have a valid city license for each dog more than 4 months old. Only one license per dog is required. Residents of Lake Havasu City are not required to obtain county dog licenses.
Proper licensing of dogs is very important both in preventing the spread of rabies and in locating owners when dogs get separated from them.
What is required to obtain a dog license?
Both Lake Havasu City and Mohave County require proof of current rabies vaccination before issuing dog licenses.
What is the cost of a dog license?
In Lake Havasu City, dog licenses cost $10 per year for spayed or neutered dogs and $20 per year for unaltered dogs.
In Mohave County, dog licenses cost $5 per year for spayed or neutered dogs and $20 per year for unaltered dogs.
Where do I obtain a dog license?
In Lake Havasu City, dog licenses are available for sale at the Western Arizona Humane Society, 1100 Empire Dr., 855-5083.
For Mohave County residents, dog licenses are available for sale at the Sheriff Substation on Highway 95 (near Busy B).
How often do I have to get a dog license?
The dog licenses in Lake Havasu City must be renewed each year. They expire on December 31 of each year or on the date the rabies vaccination expires, if earlier than December 31. Mohave County licenses are available for one, two and three year periods. They expire one, two, or three years from the date of purchase.
Can Animal Control impound animals?
Yes. Licenses and unlicensed dogs and cats found running at large may be impounded in the shelter operated by WAHS. Dogs and cats not claimed by their owners before expiration of a three day holding period become the property of WAHS and may be disposed of at our discretion.
In most cases, stray animals not claimed by their owners are moved to the WAHS adoption kennels where they may be visited by the public and hopefully adopted.
Does Animal Control try to find the owner?
WAHS goes to great lengths to try to reunite impounded and stray animals with their owners. Hopefully, the animal is wearing a tag that identifies the owner. Even if a dog is wearing only a dog license, WAHS is able to identify the owner through the license records. The owner is called, sometimes multiple times when it is only possible to leave messages. Occasionally, certified letters are sent to the owner requesting them to retrieve their pet.
What does is cost to have an animal impounded?
In Lake Havasu City, the impound fee is $25 plus boarding fees of $7 per day. In Mohave County, the initial impound fee is $25 plus boarding fees of $7.50 per day. Subsequent county impounds cost $50 for the second time and $100 for the third time.
What about loud, barking dogs? Are they against the law?
It is not against the law for dogs to bark. It is against Lake Havasu City ordinances to maintain any animal barking in a loud or unusual manner as to be offensive to the senses, or so as to disturb the slumbers, peace and quiet of any considerable number of persons in the neighborhood.
Most dogs bark and many owners appreciate the warning they provide when strangers come to the door or near their property. Such behavior is not unlawful. Other dogs bark constantly, day and night. This type of behavior may be unlawful if it disturbs the peace of several persons in the neighborhood.
What about poorly treated animals such as those left outside in the heat?
Arizona state law prohibits cruelty to animals that includes cruel mistreatment and cruel neglect or abandonment. Animal Control Officers investigate reports of animal neglect and cruelty. When there is evidence of improper treatment or neglect, the officers issue a warning and advise the owners about proper care. When there is evidence that the animal's life is at risk, they may impound the animal and cite the owner for violation of the law. The court may ultimately decide the fate of the owner and the animal.
What are the consequences of violating animal control ordinances and laws?
While WAHS is responsible for enforcing animal control ordinances and laws, its primary mission is the protection and care of unwanted and neglected animals. WAHS attempts to perform its law enforcement duties in a responsible and humane manner, concentrating on the welfare of the animal while respecting the rights of the owner. We try to work with the owners (and sometimes neighbors) to resolve problems for the benefit of all - especially the animals.
Sometimes, despite our best efforts and education, owners refuse to behave in a responsible manner. In such cases we issue warnings and citations and may impound an animal. Severe cases may be prosecuted by the City Attorney's office and decided by a judge.
How do I contact Animal Control about a problem?
In Lake Havasu City, the daytime phone number is 855-7479; after hours is 855-4111. The offices for the Western Arizona Humane Society are at 1100 Empire Drive. Officers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In Mohave County, the daytime phone number is (520)753-2727; after hours is (800)522-4312. Their offices are located at 950 Buchanan in Kingman, Arizona. Officers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The dedicated staff and volunteers of the Western Arizona Humane Society are at your service to answer any questions, or help with the placement of a companion animal.
We invite you to visit our facilities and see our staff and volunteers at work at 1100 Empire Dr., 855-5083, or we will be happy to schedule a presentation of the many functions of the Western Arizona Humane Society to your club, group or classroom. Also, watch our Adopt-a-Pet program on TV-45.
Previous Articles:
Valley Fever
Dog Bite Prevention
Spay & Neuter
Adopt a Cat
Pet Information On-Line
Cat Myths
Heat
Fireworks
Cat Scratching
Heartworm
THE MANY BENEFITS OF COMPANION ANIMALS
W.A.H.S & Lake Havasu City
Pet Loss