Putting Bite on Nuisance Pets

The Rolling Hills City Council is prepared to add more teeth to its animal control code by increasing penalties for the owners of noisy and destructive animals, particularly dogs.

Although dogs are permitted to roam without a leash in the largely rural community, tolerance for nuisance animals is decreasing. As a result, the council Monday introduced a measure, scheduled for adoption by the council Oct. 9, under which the owners of nuisance animals could be prosecuted for misdemeanor violations.

Under the measure, a second complaint against a dog that consistently barks or repeatedly destroys private property results in a hearing before the city manager. The manager then determines remedial action, which could include prosecution. The manager’s decision may be appealed to the council.

The amendment was introduced after several residents complained that barking dogs were disturbing them.