Ronan City Council discusses problem with loose dogs

At the Monday, June 17 regular meeting, Ronan City Council member Julie Moore made the urgent case for the council to address loose dogs in town. Her own dog was brought in to show its severe injuries, that she says were caused by a loose dog attacking her dog as she and her husband recently walked it on a leash. Her husband had picked the dog up to protect it, but the loose dog attacked it in his arms.

Moore said this was not the first time this had happened to her. The first time she received broken ribs. Another time she was inside her house near a screen door when a dog jumped at her, tearing the screen.

Other council members acknowledged their own experiences with dangerous loose dogs and told of neighbors and friends who had had similar problems. The animal shelters are full, and there is no animal control officer.

Existing ordinances may not be sufficient to address the issue. Lance Hames suggested it may have to come down to euthanizing dogs that repeatedly pose a danger and whose owners do not keep them contained. Calvin Hardy spoke of having met with CSKT and Lake County officials to discuss a coordinated effort to address loose dogs and said that Moore’s situation emphasizes the urgency of continuing that effort. Moore voiced support for Hardy to continue working toward solutions.