Calaveras County Targets Barking And Roaming Dogs

Calaveras County, CA — The Board of Supervisors is giving Animal Services more teeth in two ordinances to crack down on negligent owners.

It will now take only two or more people to complain about a barking dog and one of those complaints can come from the officer who responds to the scene. Calaveras County Sheriff’s Lieutenant, Dennis Huberty say that will help out people in rural areas who have few neighbors.

Also, if your dog is caught running the neighborhood you won’t have as many chances to avoid a fine. It used to take 4 violations in a year to get a misdemeanor. Huberty say that time limit was too short. Now, it only takes 3 violations in 2 years to be slapped with a misdemeanor and possible hefty fine. He says they are cracking down on roaming dogs because of the safety risk they pose to other people and traffic.

The ordinances changes take effect this week.