[bouldercouncilhotline] Hotline: FW: City announces changes to Animal Control and dog licensing administration

[kohls at bouldercolorado.gov]

Sender: Appelbaum, Matt

Colleagues -- This announcement reminds me of an issue I've been raising for a very long time regarding dog licenses and OS green tags (for the voice and sight program).  At the very, very least, we should require that before you can get a green tag you must have a city dog license -- or, I would suggest, pay at least an equal amount if you are not a city resident.  I think that might significantly increase the number of people getting (required) dog licenses, which would not only raise much needed revenue for the program, but also, I think, tend to encourage people to obey the rules.  Obviously we'd need to deal with the thousands of green tags already out there, and perhaps (or perhaps not) provide for infrequent visitors (who already need a green tag for off-leash access), and, I would add, consider that the sole user group that pays for any form of OS access is dog owners.  However we might come out on this issue, I really don't want to continue a flawed process when we have an opportunity to revise it now.
--Matt

________________________________
From: City of Boulder News
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2010 9:10 AM
To: Huntley, Sarah
Cc: news at list.ci.boulder.co.us
Subject: City announces changes to Animal Control and dog licensing administration

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NEWS
Friday, Dec. 17, 2010
Contact:
Janee’ Boswell, Animal Control, 303-441-4385
Sarah Huntley, Media Relations, 303-441-3155
www.bouldercolorado.gov<http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/>


City announces changes to Animal Control and dog licensing administration

Starting on Jan. 1, the City of Boulder will be taking over all administrative and enforcement duties related to Animal Control and dog licensing.

In the past, these functions were performed by the Humane Society of Boulder Valley through a contract with the city. Recently, however, the Humane Society decided to focus on adoption and caregiving instead of animal ordinance enforcement. As a result, the city began exploring options to ensure that this important service continues to be available.

In the new year, the Boulder Police Department will take over ordinance enforcement and investigations of cruelty and neglect within the City of Boulder. Other City of Boulder departments will take over administrative tasks such as the management of licensing and web applications.

Animal control officers staffed within the police department will investigate and respond to vicious or stray animals, nuisance complaints, injured or ill animals, reports of cruelty or neglect, as well as other animal-related issues. The officers, who have been receiving training over the past several months, will be on duty seven days a week, year-round with the exception of major holidays.  The hours will vary by season.

For calls in progress or emergency calls such as a vicious or injured animal, community members will need to call Boulder Police Communications at 303-441-3333.  For more routine or non-emergency calls, the public can reach the Animal Control office at 303-441-1874.

Penalties and fines will remain the same as there has been no change in the court process or the ordinances themselves.  The Humane Society will continue to house and care for stray and relinquished pets.

The City of Boulder will be administering the city’s dog license program.  A City of Boulder dog license is required by law for all dogs over the age of four months, living within the city limits of Boulder.  The license must be obtained within 30 days of acquisition of the dog, or within 30 days of moving to the city.

Community members can obtain a license on the spot by walking into several participating Boulder veterinarians, including the clinic run by the Humane Society of Boulder Valley.  Alternatively, dog owners can print out a license application and send it in to P.O. Box 791, Boulder, CO, 80306.  A list of participating veterinarians, the dog license application and other useful information is available at http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/dogsandanimals.

Parks and Recreation will continue the management of dog parks.  Open Space and Mountain Parks will continue the administration of the Voice and Sight Dog Tag Program.

If you have additional questions, please call 720-564-2006.

--CITY--
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