CLEANING UP AFTER YOUR DOG
4. Miscellaneous Offenses
f. Feces/Urine - Accumulation; Disposition.
An owner of dogs, cats or other household pets commits a Class II Petty Offense punishable under E.5.a. if the pet's owner allows excessive animal feces or urine to accumulate. The accumulation of animal excrement shall be deemed to be excessive if there is sufficient quantity to generate odors off the premises of the dog owner or, if in the judgment of the Animal Control Officer, the accumulation is detrimental to the health and well being of neighbors or the animals.
h. Failure to Clean Up Dog Feces in Public Places.
A dog owner commits a Class II Petty Offense punishable under E.5.a. if the dog owner or custodian of any dog which has defecated in any park, parkway, sidewalk, roadway, community center, school, or recreational facility fails to clean up and remove such excrement or feces.
BARKING DOGS
DOG LEASH LAWS
Please be aware that Jefferson County Law requies dogs to be on leash when off their owner's premises. It specifically states the following:
"Dogs allowed to roam the streets are not only a nuisance and dangerous to the public, but are in constant danger from cars, irate people, and even other dogs. For these reasons, all dogs must be on leash or confined on the owner's premises at all times. Dogs in violation of the leash law may be detained by a citizen, turned over to Animal Control and impounded at the Table Mountain Animal Center. In addition to impoundment fees, owners can be issued a summons for a violation of county regulations." Regulations regarding dog leash laws can be found at: http://www.jeffco.us/sheriff/sheriff T62 R29.htm
"Beginning July 1, 2007, all dogs older than 4 months residing in both unincorporated Jefferson County and most of the county's municipalities must be licensed annually."
A lost dog can be reunited with its owner through licensing identification. Licensing also protects residents from dangerous dogs. For more information regarding Jefferson County dog licensing regulations, please visit http://co.jefferson.co.us/sheriff/sheriff_T62_R210.htm. Dog owners may register their dog for licensing by completing an application for registration.
DOGS HARRASSING WILDLIFE
THE PENALTY FOR DOGS HARASSING WILDLIFE IS $274 OR, WORSE YET, ANY DOG CAUGHT HARASSING WILDLIFE MAY BE CAPTURED OR KILLED BY AUTHORITIES (see below)! (You may also be double fined by Jeffco Animal Control for your dog being off leash and harassing wildlife.)
Title 33-6-128. "Damage or Destruction of Dens or Nests - Harassment of Wildlife", of the CO Wildlife Statutes states the following:
(1) Unless permitted by the division, it is unlawful for any person to willfully damage or destroy any wildlife den or nest or their eggs or to harass any wildlife. Any person who violates this subsection (1) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of one hundred dollars and an assessment of ten license suspension points. For the purposes of this subsection (1), nothing shall prohibit the removal of wildlife dens or nests when necessary to prevent damage to property or livestock or while trapping.
(2) Unless otherwise allowed by commission rule or regulation, it is unlawful for any person to knowingly or negligently allow or direct a dog which he owns or which is under his control to harass wildlife, whether or not the wildlife is actually injured by such dog. Any person who violates this subsection (2) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of two hundred dollars.
(3) A Colorado wildlife officer or other peace officer may capture or kill any dog he or she determines to be harassing wildlife. The provisions of this subsection (3) shall not apply to dogs that are under the direct personal control of a person.
WARNING:
If you have received a complaint about your dog, it is important to correct the problem so that your neighbors do not take legal action or take their frustrations out on your dog.
WHO TO CONTACT:
IN ALL CASES, complaints regarding the above Jefferson County dog regulations must be made by the affected party directly to the dog owner. If you cannot resolve your issues with the offending dog owner, your next course of action is to contact the Jefferson County Sherrif's Office - Animal Patrol Section at
303-271-5070 or, in cases of wildlife harassment by dogs, contact the NE Region District Wildlife Officer at: 303-291-7227.
Further information regarding all of the above ordinances/statutes, can be found at the following links:
