Press Release

Contact: Julie Smith, Assistant Chief FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Phone: (219) 362-9446 x 202

Thursday, May 17, 2012, La Porte, IN: As temperatures increase during the months ahead, so will the number of animal complaints. In particular, reports of stray dogs and dog bites, particularly to young children, are more frequent. Although researchers aren’t certain why this correlation exists, they believe it may be attributed to more people enjoying the outdoors and/ or the increased irritability of dogs in hot weather. The warmer months also bring increased stimuli to pets that may have spent a lot of time indoors during colder months.

To help keep both people and pets safe, the La Porte Police Department would like to remind pet owners of several city ordinances that apply to domestic animals:

Domestic animals are not allowed to run at large and must be under the immediate control of the handler, on leash, or restrained by other effective means.

Pet owners are responsible for immediately cleaning up after their pet if the pet deposits excreta on public property, or someone else’s private property.

All dogs, cats and ferrets, age 3 months and older, must be vaccinated against rabies. The rabies vaccination must remain current by ongoing revaccination of the animal, either annually or triennially as recommended by the vaccine manufacturer. Harboring a non-immunized dog is a Class C infraction, and elevates to a Class B misdemeanor if it bites a person and causes injury.

Dog owners are required to obtain an annual city dog license from the Office of the Clerk-Treasurer located at La Porte City Hall, 801 Michigan Av.

A good source of bite prevention information for both child caregivers and dog owners can be found at the following website: http://www2.aap.org/advocacy/releases/dogbiteprevention.pdf. A copy of the same brochure can also be obtained in the lobby of the La Porte Police Department.