KP Community Council Hears from County Animal Control

Brian Boman, supervisor at Pierce County Animal Control, is one of seven animal control officers working 1,600 square miles of Pierce County. Three officers respond to over 100 calls each day, seven days a week, in unincorporated areas of the county.

In addition to roaming and at-large animals, the officers respond to animal cruelty calls, dangerous or aggressive animals, animal noise complaints, and more. Dogs are not the only source of calls to animal control. Cats and chickens, and any other domestic animals, are subject to regulation, as are exotic pets, including alligators or primates. Calls about wild animals such as bears, raccoons, coyotes, and even peacocks are directed to the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“Any animal that a person can have, if it’s off its property, is required to be under control on a leash, unless it’s in a designated off-leash dog park,” Boman said. “We have a lot of problems with dogs off leash in those parks and have been actively patrolling those parks.”

Boman said he issued over 100 tickets in Gateway Park and Volunteer Park over the summer.

Officers respond as quickly as possible to all reports, but prioritize animals that are acting in an aggressive way or have attacked someone.

“Our number one job is to protect the safety of the public,” Boman said. “For example, an unrestrained dog attacking a restrained dog could be declared potentially dangerous or dangerous, depending on the severity of the injuries, a scenario familiar to dog walkers.”

Reports of animals showing aggression can be made to 911, in addition to the animal control phone number.

Boman suggested it’s a good idea for walkers to carry a walking stick for protection, “used to jab at an animal, not to swing,” and get to the nearest safe place.

Chow Chows, or chows, take top billing on Boman’s dangerous dog list, followed by Shar-Pei, Rottweiler, and Akita at number four. In his experience, these are the most difficult breeds to handle because their body language can’t be read for intent.

“Looking you in the eye, their tails, their posture, all those things are taken into account when we go to deal with an animal,” he said. “What is the mood? These (breeds) do not exhibit the same behavior traits that most dogs do.”

“A definition of potentially dangerous animals are any dog that puts a bite on any other animal, threatens or approaches an animal or person in an attitude of attack, or has the propensity or disposition to attack when not provoked, threatens the safety of humans or animals,” he said.

Animals declared potentially dangerous go through a process with their owners of confinement with specific restrictions about their kennels, requiring leashes and muzzles when out. Permits must be purchased, rabies vaccination, and microchipping are required. The owner does not have a choice. Violation is a gross misdemeanor.

Owners must post public warnings on their property of potentially dangerous animals. Any violation by a dangerous animal requires impoundment. Owners can appeal to a hearing examiner.

“This is where we get to in these kinds of cases,” Boman said. “This is making an owner step up to the responsibility of owning an animal who is acting this way. Think of liability. If an animal gets out and ends up biting a child, how is that going to make you feel? Those are the things to take into consideration.”

Persons wishing to call animal control regarding an at-large dog are urged to take a picture or video of the animal, identify where the photo was taken, and try to obtain the address of the roaming animal. “That way we can deal with the owner directly,” Boman said. In many instances, the animal has returned home before the officer arrives.

Tickets are issued for regulatory infractions. The fine for a dog roaming is $246. The fine for a dog roaming without a license in Pierce County is $492 per animal. A dog running at large and in heat is a separate violation. Dogs are required to be leashed and controlled on rural roads, streets, private lanes, and gated communities. Licenses are not required if the dog never leaves the property of the owner. The fines are similar to a traffic violation; they are not criminal and do not result in warrants. Owners have 15 days to respond to a fine. If there is no response, the fines go to a collection agency. The officers work to resolve difficult situations and refer to law enforcement when required, such as when firearms are involved.

Service animals are trained for a specific task and for a specific disability. Fines for misrepresenting a service animal are $1,000. Service animals are not the same as emotional support animals.

For noise violations, cruelty complaints, or to report roaming animals, call 253-798-7387 or email pcanimalcontrol@co.pierce.wa.us.