Dogs at-large cause issues in rural Henry County

MT. PLEASANT — With the help of Henry County Sheriff Rich McNamee, the Henry County Board of Supervisors responded to a rural resident complaint about dogs at-large outside city limits.

A rural resident asked the supervisors at the Tuesday, April 22 meeting, what she should do in response to repeated issues over many years with dogs at-large near her home outside of city limits.

“These dogs just do whatever they want,” she told the supervisors. “They’re lying on the highway. There is going to be an accident one of these days.”

The resident stated that a Henry County Sheriff Deputy directed her to supervisors, due to a lack of county ordinance on the topic of stay animals.

“We’ve been approached, several years ago, by some individuals outside of Rome with a similar issue and we have not developed an ordinance in regards to stray animals,” Supervisor Greg Moeller stated.

While the supervisors explored Iowa Code 351 in search of answers for the issue, McNamee arrived for an agenda item later in the meeting. Upon questioning from Supervisor Chad White, McNamee shared next-steps with the resident.

“If it is non-violent, they can contain it and bring it to the pound,” McNamee succinctly responded. “If it is violent, they should call us and we’ll come down and deal with a violent dog.”

McNamee also referenced Iowa Code 351 as he responded to inquiry and stated that animals at-large that are actively attacking something citizens are allowed to “destroy” the animal. Assuming the dog can be impounded instead of destroyed, McNamee says they will contact the owners and take it from there.

The code also states in section 351.26, “It shall be lawful for any person, and the duty of all peace officers within their respective jurisdictions unless such jurisdiction shall have otherwise provided for the seizure and impoundment of dogs, to kill any dog for which a rabies vaccination tag is required, when the dog is not wearing a collar with rabies vaccination tag attached,” though McNamee’s statement referencing 351.27 allows for citizens to destroy a dog regardless of vaccination tag presence.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com