Barking mad

The City of Sundance is now at a point where it can start issuing citations for dogs at large.

Several known issues involving dogs within city limits made this a priority. There are other ordinances that Sheriff Jeff Hodge aims to begin enforcing, he said at last week’s meeting of the council, but this is currently the “primary one”.

The ordinance has been in place since 1986 and prohibits owners from allowing their dogs to run at large within town limits or keeping nuisance or vicious animals.

Dogs must also be licensed and vaccinated against rabies.

Though at least one known issue with a dog involves a longtime resident, said Mayor Paul Brooks, newcomers to the area are also involved, making this a necessary step.

“There are numerous people that have moved here and are not very cognizant of their neighbors and leave their dogs out. In my neighborhood I never heard a dog barking [before],” he said.

Brooks took responsibility for it taking so long for Sundance to begin once again enforcing ordinances – something that temporarily stopped during the process of dissolving the police department and then seeking a new municipal judge.

“We combined the Sundance P.D. with the Sheriff’s Office and we knew there was some ordinance stuff. I should have been poking everyone to [be ready] but there were other things that came up and sometimes things don’t go as smooth as they should,” he said.

“I’m ultimately in charge, so ultimately I’m the guy who dropped the ball and for that I apologize.”

However, he said, work has been ongoing for the last 45 days to reach a point of being able to issue citations.