BOZEMAN, Mont. – The City of Bozeman has hired an additional animal control officer to help meet what it calls a growing need. The city now has two full-time animal control officers.
The Bozeman Police Department says it received more than 2100 animal related calls in a one-year span from June 2017 to June 2018. Animals at Large, which means either an unleashed pet with their owner or pet on the loose, make up 29% of calls. Animal Control Officer Selena Fowler said keeping a dog leashed provides added safety to the pet and those around it.
“Just like any person, dogs can have personalities where maybe they’ll clash with each other. If both dogs are leashed and it comes to a point where the dogs don’t agree, owners can very easily pull them apart,” said Fowler.
Tim Wenthe, formerly the city’s lone animal control officer, said he responded to a call recently where an unleashed dog dashed in front of a bike causing them to crash and break their hip.
“Both in county and city trails there’s signs that say please keep your dog on a leash,” said Wenthe. “ So that situation was entirely preventable.”
An owner can be cited $50 for not having their pet on a leash. Additionally, any animal in the public must have rabies vaccination tags or the owner can receive an additional fine.
Animals captured by City of Bozeman Animal Control are taken to Heart of the Valley Shelter per a contract with the privately operated facility. If your animal is at the shelter you’ll need to pay the fine at the Law and Justice Center prior to picking up your pet.
