Glenn Pinkerton/Las Vegas News Bureau
Even the dogs have appropriate head gear at the Spring Jamboree in Boulder City. Saturday, May 5, 2018.
Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021 | 2 a.m.
Boulder City is trying to rein in a problem of dogs running loose, in some cases attacking people and other animals.
The city gets several complaints a day about unleashed dogs, Boulder City spokeswoman Lisa LaPlante said.
Recently, several dogs that were not properly restrained got into a fight and an owner was injured, city officials said.
"The incident required the response of Animal Control, police and paramedics,” LaPlante said.
The Boulder City Police Department and Animal Control are conducting a virtual public meeting at 6 p.m. March 1 to discuss the problem and consider solutions.
It is against city ordinance for pet owners to negligently allow an animal to run loose in public, but there is an exception for dogs “under reasonable control.” The city wants to tighten up that vague language, officials said.
“We need to act now with more clear direction in what 'dog running at large' and 'under reasonable control' truly means,” Boulder City Animal Control Supervisor Ann Inabnitt said.
The fine for dogs running at large is $180 for the first offense, $305 for a second offense and $640 for the third offense.
Dogs running loose can be a danger to people and other animals. A couple of years ago, an unleashed dog attacked and killed a smaller dog at a public park in front of a group of children, city officials said.
“Owners forget that even the smartest dogs still have animal instincts. It breaks my heart when we have to take an animal away from an owner because the dog acted in a way that dogs have acted for thousands of years," said Tim Shea, Boulder City police chief.
Inabnitt said the city wants to take a “common-sense approach to protecting people and pets by having a code that will keep pet owners happy, too.”
Next month’s public meeting will be live-streamed at www.bcnv.org/streaming. Cox Cable subscribers can watch live on BCTV Channel 2.
Call 702-589-9629 during the public comment segment to ask questions and provide feedback. Written comments can be submitted to [email protected].
