The City of Marshalltown, the Marshalltown Police Department, and the Animal Rescue League of Marshall County are seeking public assistance in spreading awareness of the importance of responsible pet ownership.
During the last 12 months, the Marshalltown Police Department has received a dramatic increase in calls for service addressing animals, specifically dogs, running at large. From October 2023 to October 2024, the department has responded to 670 calls for service addressing animal at-large investigations. This compared to 470 the year prior and 406 from October 2021 through October 2022. As an agency, officers find that many of these calls are easily preventable with help from the public. As a police department, we encourage our community to report such incidents and hope that community members assist in spreading awareness of the dangers and penalties associated with animals running loose. You can report dogs at large by calling 641.754.5725. This is a 24/7 number.
Allowing, or failing to prevent your pet(s) from running at large, causes several issues many may not realize. Animals running in our roadways may cause unreasonable traffic hazards that often result in pets being injured by unexpected motorists. Loose animals are often found to be risks to pedestrians, children, and other domesticated pets. The large number of animal at-large reports also divert law enforcement and Animal Rescue League resources from other essential tasks.
Marshalltown City Ordinance Chapter 90 addresses community laws regarding our responsibilities in caring for domestic animals.
https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/marshalltown/latest/marshalltown_ia/0-0-0-17788#JD_Chapter90
Within Marshalltown City Ordinance Chapter 90 an animal at large is defined as: An animal found off the premises of the owner or upon the public streets, alleys, public grounds, school grounds or parks within the city.
Ordinance Chapter 90.024 describes in detail what will occur if an owner is found to have allowed or failed to reasonably prevent their dog(s) from roaming at large.
90.024 DOGS AT LARGE. It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any dog to permit such dog to run at large, whether such dog shall be licensed or unlicensed. (A) A dog found at large shall be sterilized, spayed or neutered, at the owner's expense, if and upon the owner or keeper of the dog being found guilty of a second or subsequent dog at large violation under this chapter. (B) In determining what is a second, third or subsequent offense, multiple counts or charges for more than one dog at large by the owner or keeper resulting from the same event or release shall be considered one offense. (C) There is no time limitation from the prior offense in determining whether an offense under this section is a second, third or subsequent offense. (D) A dog found at large shall be forfeited, if and upon the owner or keeper being found guilty of a third or subsequent offense of a dog at large violation under this chapter.
Along with our agency’s investigation into why a particular pet is being allowed to run loose, officers are also verifying the owner’s requirements to maintain proper records of pet vaccinations and the owner’s financial responsibility for the storage and caretaking of their pet if impounded.
90.021 RABIES VACCINATION REQUIRED. It shall be unlawful for any person to own or have a dog or cat in his or her possession, in the city, a cat or dog six months of age or over, which cat or dog has not been vaccinated against rabies. Persons owning or possessing a dog or cat over the age of six months of age shall be required to have a certificate of vaccination for such dog or cat signed by a licensed veterinarian indicating that the vaccination is current. Any dog or cat not having a valid rabies vaccination tag and for which no rabies vaccination certificate can be produced shall be apprehended pursuant to I.C.A. Ch. 351.
90.026 APPREHENDING AND IMPOUNDING. No domesticated animal picked up pursuant to this subchapter shall be released to the owner thereof until payment of a pick-up charge, plus boarding charges. In addition, the owner shall show proof of a current rabies vaccination. Additional conditions for release provided in this chapter shall be applicable if the animal is a dangerous or vicious animal.
Fines for such charges average $105. Adding surcharges and court costs could total $180 or more for each conviction. Owners convicted of multiple violations could receive significantly higher fines. All members charged with animal violations must appear in-person for an assigned court date, adding to the pet owners' overall inconvenience in addressing these issues.
We all love our pets! We want to encourage our community to work together to lower the number of animal-related calls within our community. Please share this information with others to help bring additional awareness to this increasingly preventable concern. Thank you!
AUTHORITY: Captain Christopher Jones (cjones@marshalltown-ia.gov or 641.754.5729)