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Animal Laws
Animal Code for the City of Russellville
The following information and summarized provisions of the Russellville City Council reflect the basic responsibilities of animal ownership. Please take a few moments to become more familiar with these regulations that promote animal and public health, safety, and welfare.
Russellville City Ordinance 1671 (PDF) officially adopts the Russellville Animal Control Code as law. Copies of the code are maintained at City Hall and at the Animal Control Facility.
For More Information
For additional information please visit the animal shelter or call 479-968-1944. You may read the entire summary of basic animal related laws by viewing the ordinance or viewing specific information below.
The following information and summarized provisions of the Russellville City Council reflect the basic responsibilities of animal ownership. Please take a few moments to become more familiar with these regulations that promote animal and public health, safety, and welfare.
Russellville City Ordinance 1671 (PDF) officially adopts the Russellville Animal Control Code as law. Copies of the code are maintained at City Hall and at the Animal Control Facility.
For More Information
For additional information please visit the animal shelter or call 479-968-1944. You may read the entire summary of basic animal related laws by viewing the ordinance or viewing specific information below.
Ordinance 1671
| Section | Page(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Article 1 (PDF) |
1-5 | In General |
| Article II (PDF) |
5-7 | Licensing and Vaccination |
| Article III (PDF) |
7-9 | Restraint |
| Article IV (PDF) |
9-10 | Cruelty |
| Article V (PDF) |
10-12 | Wild Animals |
| Article VI (PDF) |
12-15 | Animal Establishments |
| Article VII (PDF) |
15-16 | Private Kennels |
| Article VIII (PDF) |
16-18 | Impoundment and Adoption |
| Article IX (PDF) |
18-20 | Enforcement Penalties |
| Article X (PDF) |
20 | Records |
| Article XI (PDF) |
20-24 | Livestock |
- Disturbing the Peace
- Humane Care
- Public Protection From Dogs
- Reporting of Bites
- Restraint of Dogs
- Sanitation
- Vaccinations & Dog Licensing
Disturbing the Peace
It is a public offense for any person to own or harbor an animal in such a manner that the peace and quiet of the public is unreasonably disturbed. Modest changes in animal housing and care can often prevent or reduce noise disturbances.
Tips for Keeping the Peace
The following suggestions may be helpful:
It is a public offense for any person to own or harbor an animal in such a manner that the peace and quiet of the public is unreasonably disturbed. Modest changes in animal housing and care can often prevent or reduce noise disturbances.
Tips for Keeping the Peace
The following suggestions may be helpful:
- Oftentimes dogs bark out of boredom. Owners should ensure that their dogs are made a "part of the family" and are provided with adequate companionship and exercise.
- Owners should ensure that their dogs are kept within an enclosure, rather than tied, and provided adequate covered shelter. It's often helpful to maintain dogs indoors (house or garage) at night. Dogs should also be provided adequate food and water in secure containers.
- Owners who plan on being away from home overnight should make arrangements for the care and companionship of their pet.
- In some cases, professional training or consultation with a veterinarian or canine behaviorist may be helpful.
Humane Care
Humane treatment of an animal includes providing it with:
In general, “cruelty” includes every act, omission, or neglect whereby unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain or suffering is caused or permitted.
Humane treatment of an animal includes providing it with:
- Adequate shelter
- Food
- Water
- Exercise
- As well as any necessary veterinary care
In general, “cruelty” includes every act, omission, or neglect whereby unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain or suffering is caused or permitted.
Public Protection From Dogs
Each year thousands of people are bitten or attacked by dogs. Many bite victims are substantially injured and children sustain the majority of injuries. As a result of these incidents, owners are often subject to administrative action and may also incur criminal responsibility and/or civil liability.
Dog owners are responsible for ensuring that their animals do not harm or endanger the health or safety of people or other animals. Since most biting or attacking incidents occur on or near the owner's premises, they are normally preventable if reasonable and common sense precautions are taken.
Owners should not assume that their dogs would always act predictably in unusual circumstances or with unfamiliar people. In such situations, there is a greater risk of dogs biting or attacking people and therefore additional precautions are recommended. These situations include any dog that has previously demonstrated defensive or protective tendencies or that is roaming in a pack, protecting its pups, tied or chained, left in a vehicle, or kept in an area frequented by children.
Any person owning or having custody or control of a dog must at all times prevent the dog from attacking, biting, or injuring any person engaged in a lawful act, and from damaging or interfering with the lawful use of property.
Each year thousands of people are bitten or attacked by dogs. Many bite victims are substantially injured and children sustain the majority of injuries. As a result of these incidents, owners are often subject to administrative action and may also incur criminal responsibility and/or civil liability.
Dog owners are responsible for ensuring that their animals do not harm or endanger the health or safety of people or other animals. Since most biting or attacking incidents occur on or near the owner's premises, they are normally preventable if reasonable and common sense precautions are taken.
Owners should not assume that their dogs would always act predictably in unusual circumstances or with unfamiliar people. In such situations, there is a greater risk of dogs biting or attacking people and therefore additional precautions are recommended. These situations include any dog that has previously demonstrated defensive or protective tendencies or that is roaming in a pack, protecting its pups, tied or chained, left in a vehicle, or kept in an area frequented by children.
Any person owning or having custody or control of a dog must at all times prevent the dog from attacking, biting, or injuring any person engaged in a lawful act, and from damaging or interfering with the lawful use of property.
Reporting of Bites
All persons bitten and the parents or guardians of minor children bitten, as well as any person owning or having custody or control of a dog (or other animal of a species subject to rabies) that bites a person, must promptly report the incident to the Department of Animal Control.
This is necessary so that such animals can be temporarily isolated (as required by law) in an approved place and manner (oftentimes at the owner’s residence) and observed for at least 10 days for any symptoms of rabies. This requirement applies whether or not the biting animal has been vaccinated against rabies.
All persons bitten and the parents or guardians of minor children bitten, as well as any person owning or having custody or control of a dog (or other animal of a species subject to rabies) that bites a person, must promptly report the incident to the Department of Animal Control.
This is necessary so that such animals can be temporarily isolated (as required by law) in an approved place and manner (oftentimes at the owner’s residence) and observed for at least 10 days for any symptoms of rabies. This requirement applies whether or not the biting animal has been vaccinated against rabies.
Restraint of Dogs
Proper restraint of dogs will prevent them from harming or interfering with other animals, people, or property, and will also prevent them from becoming lost or from being injured by vehicles or other animals.
At Home
At home, dog owners must effectively control their dogs by voice or electronic pet containment system, or must physically and humanely restrain them by a leash, fence, or other enclosure.
Away From Home
If you walk or otherwise bring a dog to public or other private property where dogs are permitted, you must restrain the dog by a hand held leash not longer than 6 feet in length.
In a Motor Vehicle
If you transport an animal in a motor vehicle you must safely enclose or protect the animal by a harness or other device that will prevent the animal from falling, being thrown, or jumping from the vehicle.
Warm Weather Tip
On a warm day, vehicle interior temperatures can reach extreme levels and endanger the health and/or life of your pet in a matter of minutes, even with partially open windows. During warm weather leave your pet at home. Shaded parking areas, open windows, or an air-conditioned vehicle with the engine off won't save your pet's life.
It is a public offense for any person to leave an animal in an unattended vehicle without adequate ventilation or in a manner as to subject the animal to extreme temperatures that adversely affect the animal’s health or welfare.
Proper restraint of dogs will prevent them from harming or interfering with other animals, people, or property, and will also prevent them from becoming lost or from being injured by vehicles or other animals.
At Home
At home, dog owners must effectively control their dogs by voice or electronic pet containment system, or must physically and humanely restrain them by a leash, fence, or other enclosure.
Away From Home
If you walk or otherwise bring a dog to public or other private property where dogs are permitted, you must restrain the dog by a hand held leash not longer than 6 feet in length.
In a Motor Vehicle
If you transport an animal in a motor vehicle you must safely enclose or protect the animal by a harness or other device that will prevent the animal from falling, being thrown, or jumping from the vehicle.
Warm Weather Tip
On a warm day, vehicle interior temperatures can reach extreme levels and endanger the health and/or life of your pet in a matter of minutes, even with partially open windows. During warm weather leave your pet at home. Shaded parking areas, open windows, or an air-conditioned vehicle with the engine off won't save your pet's life.
It is a public offense for any person to leave an animal in an unattended vehicle without adequate ventilation or in a manner as to subject the animal to extreme temperatures that adversely affect the animal’s health or welfare.
Sanitation
Animal owners are required to keep their animal premises sanitary and free from any fly breeding reservoir, offensive odors, and human or animal disease. It is a public offense for any person to allow a dog in his or her custody to defecate or to urinate on any property other than that of the owner or person having control of the dog.
Persons having control of a dog are required to restrain or control the animal so that it urinates or defecates only in the street gutters, and to immediately remove any feces to a proper receptacle.
Animal owners are required to keep their animal premises sanitary and free from any fly breeding reservoir, offensive odors, and human or animal disease. It is a public offense for any person to allow a dog in his or her custody to defecate or to urinate on any property other than that of the owner or person having control of the dog.
Persons having control of a dog are required to restrain or control the animal so that it urinates or defecates only in the street gutters, and to immediately remove any feces to a proper receptacle.
Rabies Vaccinations & Dog Licensing
The owner of every dog over the age of 3 months is required by law to ensure that his or her pet is currently vaccinated against rabies by a local veterinarian. Dog owners who fail to comply with rabies vaccination or licensing requirements are subject to costly penalties.Rabies vaccination of dogs, a prerequisite for licensing, has been highly effective as an animal and public health measure, and is especially important in areas like ours where the potential threat of exposure to rabies from wildlife is a significant concern. The primary or 1st rabies vaccination is good for 1 year, and the 2nd vaccination given 1 year later, and subsequent (or booster) vaccinations are valid for 3 years.
A dog’s license tag must be securely fastened to the dog’s collar or harness and worn by the dog at all times. The tag provides a uniform system of identification as well as a visible means of ensuring that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies.