Grapeland Adopts New Ordinance After Reports of Loose Dogs
By Greg Ritchie
Messenger Reporter
GRAPELAND — Grapeland officials are taking a more formal approach to loose dogs after residents reported packs roaming through neighborhoods, chasing people and, according to Mayor Velda Green, biting at least two residents.
The Grapeland City Council passed and approved a new dog-control ordinance during its Tuesday, Aug. 11, meeting. The ordinance requires dogs to be restrained, establishes procedures for impounding animals found running at large, and sets fees and fines for violations.
Green said complaints had come from several parts of the city.
“They run in packs,” Green said. “I had about four or five people saying, ‘These dogs are running in packs. They’re running four to six dogs at a time.’”
Green said residents had reported dogs downtown and on Palm Street. She said dogs had also chased people who were outside.
“We don’t want these dogs biting people,” Green said. “They did bite two people, that I know of.”
Green said two residents attended the Aug. 11 council meeting to discuss dogs running loose. She said residents have identified some of the dogs’ owners but previously had limited options for dealing with the animals.
Under the ordinance, a dog is considered “at large” when it is off its owner’s property and not under the immediate physical control of a responsible person through a leash, cord, chain or other physical restraint.
Dogs in public places must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet. The leash must be held by someone who is physically capable of controlling the animal.
Dogs kept outdoors on their owners’ property must be secured by a fence or enclosure capable of preventing them from escaping, or by a tether at least 10 feet long. The ordinance also requires owners to keep dogs from reaching public areas, rights of way or neighboring private property.
The leash requirement includes exceptions for dogs in city-designated off-leash areas, law-enforcement dogs performing official duties, certified service animals under reliable voice control and dogs participating in approved dog shows, agility trials or organized community events.
The ordinance also requires dogs to wear current rabies vaccination tags and Grapeland registration tags. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs on public or private property belonging to someone else.
Grapeland now has a code enforcer, Green said. The ordinance authorizes the city’s Animal Control Officer, Grapeland police officers and other authorized peace officers to impound dogs found at large, unrestrained or otherwise in violation of the ordinance.
Residents may report violations to the Grapeland Police Department or Grapeland City Hall. Reports may be made in person, by telephone or through other means made available by the city. The ordinance also allows anonymous reports to the extent permitted by law.
Green said impounded dogs will be kept in cages at the city’s water plant while officials attempt to locate their owners.
The ordinance requires impounded dogs to be held for a minimum of three business days, or 72 hours, excluding the day of impoundment. If a dog has an identification tag, microchip or other identifying information, the city is required to make a reasonable attempt to notify the owner within 24 hours.
Owners seeking to reclaim an impounded dog must provide proof of ownership, pay the applicable impoundment and daily boarding fees, provide proof of current rabies vaccination or make arrangements for the dog to be vaccinated, and pay any outstanding fines connected to the violation.
The base impoundment fee is $50 for a first impoundment, $100 for a second impoundment within 12 months and $150 for a third or subsequent impoundment within 12 months. Each impounded dog also carries a daily boarding fee of $15.
If a dog is not reclaimed after the minimum holding period, the ordinance allows the city to transfer the animal to a licensed rescue organization, place it for adoption or have it humanely euthanized in accordance with state law and applicable humane-disposition standards. Green said the city would try to take unclaimed dogs to a facility in Palestine.
Violations are classified as Class C misdemeanors, with fines assessed upon conviction. The fine schedule ranges from $50 to $200 for a first offense, $100 to $350 for a second offense within 12 months, and $200 to $500 for a third or subsequent offense within 12 months.
The ordinance also establishes procedures for dogs that may be considered dangerous. A dog that bites a person or domesticated animal without provocation and causes injury, or that displays aggressive behavior sufficient to place a reasonable person in fear of bodily injury, may be declared dangerous under state law and the ordinance.
The ordinance states that it will take effect 30 days after its passage and approval and after publication as required by law.
Green said the goal is to address safety concerns rather than simply impose additional restrictions on residents.
“We just want everybody to be safe and happy,” she said.
Green also addressed a separate public-safety matter involving an announced block party planned within Grapeland city limits this weekend.
The Grapeland Police Department said it had been made aware of plans for the event, but that no permit or authorization had been issued. The department said mass gatherings and unauthorized block parties are prohibited within the city.
Grapeland police said there would be an increased law-enforcement presence throughout the city. Any unauthorized gathering will be shut down, and violations of city ordinances and state law will be enforced. The department said citations will be issued and arrests made when legally warranted.
Green said the city’s block-party ordinance was adopted after a shooting at a block party about two years ago.
Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]
