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Vanessa Drive resident Kathy Braden is never without pepper spray and a cell phone when she walks her dog around the neighborhood.
The routine isn't meant to thwart the actions of threatening humans, but of canines. Braden says she's regularly accosted by loose dogs - some friendly and some not.
"Some of them, they just look and smell the dog and don't care," she said. "The other ones, they come charging out in the street, ready to go."
Braden's concerns are shared by some county residents and local officials who want an ordinance to hold citizens accountable for loose dogs but struggle to define the delicate balance between the rights of pet owners and the expectations of homeowners. Churchill County does not have a "leash law" or ordinance regarding restraint of dogs.
She acknowledges that a county-wide leash law could affect ranchers and farmers, but said owners need to be responsible for their pets, especially in densely-populated neighborhoods.
"They need to do something, something with the more residential areas of the county, where the houses are getting built," she said.
Section 2.50.160 of Churchill County Code prohibits dogs within county parks, except for seeing eye or hearing dogs or someone participating in a dog training class. It does not apply to the fairgrounds. Section 15.32.020 prohibits dogs, cats and other pets from being at large within any recreational vehicle park or mobile home park.
Fallon Municipal Code is more restrictive. It prohibits owners from allowing dogs to run at large within the city. Dogs are deemed at large if not restrained by a leash, chain, strap or cord not more than 5-feet long.
City residents are also prohibited from keeping more than three dogs of four months or older within city limits, excluding veterinarians in licensed kennels. It's also unlawful to have a dog in the city without a license.
Dog calls use significant resources of the Churchill County Sheriff's Department, said Sheriff Rich Ingram. The department contracts with the city of Fallon for certain animal control services, and deputies impound animals at the city pound, he said.
Calls range from barking to chasing bicyclists and vehicles and aggressive behavior, he said.
If a dog is deemed aggressive, state law provides enforcement measures for law enforcement, but Churchill County has no law regarding dogs at large, he said.
"I'm torn, actually," Ingram said. "In the rural areas, to a large extent, there is an expectation of a bit more freedom for you and your animals. At the same time, as we continue to grow, we encounter houses that are closer together and dense population pockets. Then, that desire for freedom begins to infringe on people's expectations of privacy."
Most conflicts with dogs can be solved through discussions with the owner, he said.
The challenge is balancing the rights of responsible pet owners with the concerns of those affected by loose dogs, he said.
"There's a fine line between enjoying the freedom of a rural area and still ensuring that your animals aren't causing problems with other people," Ingram said.
Any dog ordinance would be the directive of the county commission, said District Attorney Art Mallory. A citizen or county department could bring up the issue to commissioners, who could direct a draft to be written. A public hearing would then be held on the proposed ordinance.
The county's agricultural sector could present a challenge to those writing a specific ordinance, Mallory said. Working dogs are used for cattle in the county and would not be amenable to a county-wide leash law.
"There's certainly two sides to that coin," he said.
Heidi Road resident Ray Allen, a retired postal worker, supports a leash law in the county. A former Colorado resident, Allen said he's frequently approached by dogs while out walking.
Half of his one-acre property is grass, which consistently collects dog feces, he said.
"I'd say 95 percent of people take very good care of their animals out here, but there is a certain segment that lets their dogs run loose," he said.
An extreme example of neglect of dogs was dealt with last month.
On Jan. 17, County Code Enforcement Officer Rick Whimple and members of Fallon Animal Control removed 23 dogs from a residence at 1245 Austin Highway, owned by Stella Cook. Seven others were recovered around the property, and all 30 were destroyed due to behavioral and inbreeding issues, he said.
The removal was brought about by complaints from neighbors, he said. Nearly two years passed from receipt of the complaints until a court order was issued from justice court to remove the animals, Whimple said.
The house's interior was essentially destroyed by dog activity and littered with feces, according to photos provided by Whimple. The dogs burrowed holes from room to room and also outside the house, he said.
Cook slept on a sofa that was elevated off the floor in the kitchen, he said.
The dogs ran in packs east of Fallon and harassed livestock, he said. Several were also hit on the highway. More than 100 dogs were also taken from the owner and destroyed six years ago, Whimple said.
Cook has pled guilty to a charge of maintaining and permitting a public nuisance, a misdemeanor, and will be sentenced in April, according to court documents.
Packs of roaming dogs are thought to have been behind other livestock attacks in the county in recent years, including incidents near Drumm Lane in 2003 and 2004.
Conflicts typically involve dog owners who physically care for their pets but don't restrain them on their property, an issue exacerbated by continued residential growth in the county. The concept of a leash law is a volatile issue, with residents expressing strong feelings on each side, he said.
"It's something I believe is going to need to be addressed with all the growth we're having," Whimple said.
Josh Johnson can be contacted at jjohnson@lahontanvalleynews.com
The routine isn't meant to thwart the actions of threatening humans, but of canines. Braden says she's regularly accosted by loose dogs - some friendly and some not.
"Some of them, they just look and smell the dog and don't care," she said. "The other ones, they come charging out in the street, ready to go."
Braden's concerns are shared by some county residents and local officials who want an ordinance to hold citizens accountable for loose dogs but struggle to define the delicate balance between the rights of pet owners and the expectations of homeowners. Churchill County does not have a "leash law" or ordinance regarding restraint of dogs.
She acknowledges that a county-wide leash law could affect ranchers and farmers, but said owners need to be responsible for their pets, especially in densely-populated neighborhoods.
"They need to do something, something with the more residential areas of the county, where the houses are getting built," she said.
Section 2.50.160 of Churchill County Code prohibits dogs within county parks, except for seeing eye or hearing dogs or someone participating in a dog training class. It does not apply to the fairgrounds. Section 15.32.020 prohibits dogs, cats and other pets from being at large within any recreational vehicle park or mobile home park.
Fallon Municipal Code is more restrictive. It prohibits owners from allowing dogs to run at large within the city. Dogs are deemed at large if not restrained by a leash, chain, strap or cord not more than 5-feet long.
City residents are also prohibited from keeping more than three dogs of four months or older within city limits, excluding veterinarians in licensed kennels. It's also unlawful to have a dog in the city without a license.
Dog calls use significant resources of the Churchill County Sheriff's Department, said Sheriff Rich Ingram. The department contracts with the city of Fallon for certain animal control services, and deputies impound animals at the city pound, he said.
Calls range from barking to chasing bicyclists and vehicles and aggressive behavior, he said.
If a dog is deemed aggressive, state law provides enforcement measures for law enforcement, but Churchill County has no law regarding dogs at large, he said.
"I'm torn, actually," Ingram said. "In the rural areas, to a large extent, there is an expectation of a bit more freedom for you and your animals. At the same time, as we continue to grow, we encounter houses that are closer together and dense population pockets. Then, that desire for freedom begins to infringe on people's expectations of privacy."
Most conflicts with dogs can be solved through discussions with the owner, he said.
The challenge is balancing the rights of responsible pet owners with the concerns of those affected by loose dogs, he said.
"There's a fine line between enjoying the freedom of a rural area and still ensuring that your animals aren't causing problems with other people," Ingram said.
Any dog ordinance would be the directive of the county commission, said District Attorney Art Mallory. A citizen or county department could bring up the issue to commissioners, who could direct a draft to be written. A public hearing would then be held on the proposed ordinance.
The county's agricultural sector could present a challenge to those writing a specific ordinance, Mallory said. Working dogs are used for cattle in the county and would not be amenable to a county-wide leash law.
"There's certainly two sides to that coin," he said.
Heidi Road resident Ray Allen, a retired postal worker, supports a leash law in the county. A former Colorado resident, Allen said he's frequently approached by dogs while out walking.
Half of his one-acre property is grass, which consistently collects dog feces, he said.
"I'd say 95 percent of people take very good care of their animals out here, but there is a certain segment that lets their dogs run loose," he said.
An extreme example of neglect of dogs was dealt with last month.
On Jan. 17, County Code Enforcement Officer Rick Whimple and members of Fallon Animal Control removed 23 dogs from a residence at 1245 Austin Highway, owned by Stella Cook. Seven others were recovered around the property, and all 30 were destroyed due to behavioral and inbreeding issues, he said.
The removal was brought about by complaints from neighbors, he said. Nearly two years passed from receipt of the complaints until a court order was issued from justice court to remove the animals, Whimple said.
The house's interior was essentially destroyed by dog activity and littered with feces, according to photos provided by Whimple. The dogs burrowed holes from room to room and also outside the house, he said.
Cook slept on a sofa that was elevated off the floor in the kitchen, he said.
The dogs ran in packs east of Fallon and harassed livestock, he said. Several were also hit on the highway. More than 100 dogs were also taken from the owner and destroyed six years ago, Whimple said.
Cook has pled guilty to a charge of maintaining and permitting a public nuisance, a misdemeanor, and will be sentenced in April, according to court documents.
Packs of roaming dogs are thought to have been behind other livestock attacks in the county in recent years, including incidents near Drumm Lane in 2003 and 2004.
Conflicts typically involve dog owners who physically care for their pets but don't restrain them on their property, an issue exacerbated by continued residential growth in the county. The concept of a leash law is a volatile issue, with residents expressing strong feelings on each side, he said.
"It's something I believe is going to need to be addressed with all the growth we're having," Whimple said.
Josh Johnson can be contacted at jjohnson@lahontanvalleynews.com
