Leash laws explained; new police tip-line shared

2402

Pinal County Animal Care and Control warns Maricopa dog owners to leash up or face a warning and possible citation.

“All dogs have to be on a leash or you better be holding it,” Animal Control director Kaye Dickson told Maricopa residents during Saturday’s monthly Coffee with the Chief.

Police Chief Steve Stahl invited Dickson to educate the group of more than 20 people on Animal Control policies and procedures including leash laws, barking dogs and buzzwords to use on the phone.

“One thing I didn’t know was that there is a leash law,” resident Marah Brown said.

Her husband, Bill, said he sees people start to walk their dog, but then they take off the leash.
Loose dogs are a concern for elderly people, his wife said.

“When they see that, they get nervous,” she said. “They don’t know if that dog is going to attack them if they walk by.”

Dickson said owners of unleashed dogs usually get a warning because they don’t know what they are doing is against the law.

“We usually educate people unless the dog is aggressive,” she said.

If the dog is aggressive, or bit someone, a citation is always issued, she said.

The Brown’s said they also are concerned about barking dogs in their neighborhood.

“Animal Control is not the first responder to barking dog calls,” Stahl said. “The Police Department is, but don’t call 911 for a barking dog. Use the non-emergency number.” The number is 520-568-3673

Marah Brown said she doesn’t want to get her neighbors in trouble; she just wants the dogs to stop barking.

“Now we know what to do,” she said.

Dickson said callers who want to remain anonymous do not have to tell the dispatcher their name. If they do, anybody can find it in public records, she said.

“Say, ‘I’m not telling you who I am, but I want you to go next door,’” she said.

Stahl said to be as specific as possible when calling Animal Control.

“Be thorough in your explanation to them and what your complaint is,” he said.

Dickson said Maricopa has one full-time Animal Control officer to respond to calls and might add a part-time officer in the future.

Animal Control holds licensing clinics at City Hall once a week and will hold micro-chipping or rabies clinics at the request of residents, she said.

“If we as a group and as a community invite them, they will come,” Stahl said.

He encouraged residents to tell him and Dickson their needs and concerns so they can arrange the proper events and share the information with members of the city council.

Also Saturday, Stahl introduced the police department’s new anonymous tip line.

“There are things that happen in every community where you want to let the police know, but you don’t know how to tell them or think you’re inconveniencing the police officers by calling,” Stahl said.

He said he wants residents to feel comfortable calling, no matter what their concern is.

He read off the number and suggested residents put it in their cell phones on the spot and share it with their friends and neighbors. The number is 520-316-2104.