PORT TOWNSEND — Soon, there may be something that can be done about that dog that just won’t quit barking.
Jefferson County officials are updating the animal code to define the responsibility of people for their pets in a way that can be enforced.
“I get a lot of calls from people saying that the neighbor’s dog is driving them crazy,” said County Commissioner John Austin.
“When I pass this on to the animal control officer, he tells me that the regulations aren’t specific enough about what he can do.
“I’ve been saying ‘I’ll look into this’ for more than a year,” Austin continued. “We are finally doing something about it.”
The proposed Animal Responsibility Code is a step in the right direction, said Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy Alex Mintz, the county’s animal control officer since 2005.
“Every once in a while, any municipal code needs to be updated and reviewed,” Mintz said.
A discussion of the proposed code is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. today in commissioners’ chambers at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., as part of the regular meeting.
The county is seeking public input about the draft measure, which can be found at http://tinyurl.com/PDN-Animals.
The deadline for comments is Friday. Comments can be emailed to County Administrator Philip Morley at pmorley@co.jefferson.wa.us.
Staff members plan to bring a revised draft on Nov. 24 to the county commissioners, who will set a public hearing, and possible action, for some time in December, according to the agenda memo.
Morley said there aren’t many new aspects in the draft documents. Most revisions are clarifications of existing policy, he explained.
Mintz said that a failure to control or restrict a dog’s behavior is the root of most of the problems he encounters.
“This gives everyone guidance,” Austin said of the code.
“When an animal control officer tells someone they are in violation, most people will correct the situation.
While barking dogs are part of rural life, the code defines acceptable limits.
Continuous howling or barking that lasts for more than 10 minutes or intermittent noise lasting for longer than 30 minutes represents a violation, the draft law says.
It is also a violation if the noise is between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. and can be heard within 150 feet of the property line where the animal is located, or if it can be heard 100 feet away between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Morley said that a violator will receive a warning before being given a ticket if the situation is not corrected.
Exceptions are granted if the animal is provoked or is protecting livestock, the code states.
Chasing vehicles, jumping and barking at pedestrians, running in packs and allowing a cat or dog that is in heat to be unrestricted are also violations, the code says.
The document, which deals primarily with dogs but also includes cats and livestock — also defines dangerous and potential dangerous dogs.
Dog licensing is compulsory while cat licensing is voluntary, with options for either two year or lifetime licenses.
The fees for a fertile dog are $48 for two years and $266 lifetime, while sterilized dogs cost $20 and $112.
Fertile cats are assessed $18 for two years and $197 lifetime, sterilized they are $7 and $38.
Morley said that one benefit of licensing is the safe return of a lost pet, although microchips perform the same function.
“Licensing is an old technology compared to microchips but a lot of people prefer old technologies,” Morley said.
Licensing fees support the Humane Society of Jefferson County shelter, with all collected funds going to its operation.
Morley said that 1,369 licenses were issued in 2012 and 2013, which generated $11,390 toward the shelter’s $92,000 yearly budget.
The Humane Society of Jefferson County received about $81,000 cash combined from license and adoption fees and also received about $63,000 in charitable donations and grants.
Jefferson County ceded control of the shelter to the humane society in January 2012, and it occupies its facility at 112 Critter Lane rent free.
The shelter is open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
For more information, phone 360-385-3292.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
