Summary: Dog ownership guidelines vary per community, so its important to keep updated on whats expected as a pet owner. Basic duties include dog licenses, safety, refraining from abuse or neglect, avoiding excessive barking and keeping a dog on a leash when walking. While there are many joys to pet ownership, there are many responsibilities as well.
Owning a pet comes with reward and a heavy load of responsibility. Aside from housebreaking, basic commands and establishing a bond, pet owners must assure their animals are not a nuisance or danger to neighbors or the community.
Aside from this, there are guidelines to follow in Wooster and statewide. First, Ohio state law requires any dog over the age of three months to have a license within 30 days of ownership. Dog licenses may be purchased at the Wayne County Auditors office or satellite offices, which can be found at http://www.waynecountydoglicense.com/index.html. Dog licenses must be renewed every year between Dec. 1 and Jan. 31.
Dog licenses assure that if a dog is lost, the owner can be found, as long as the dog is wearing the tag. According to Ohio Revised Code 955.12, the dog warden can seize and impound a dog over three months of age who isnt wearing a license tag.
Further, Ohio law also designates that dogs must be confined to the owners property or under some form of reasonable control. Dogs should be on leashes when walked. It is not legal for dogs to roam and this poses a danger to both the pet and the community. Likewise, dogs who are at six months of age and older must be vaccinated to protect against rabies.
As a common courtesy effort, dog owners should clean up after their pets when on walks. Animal owners should also assure their pets are not causing excessive noise. According to Richard Benson, city law director, incessant barking will likely be handled based on the circumstance. The time of day and the level of noise surrounding the area will likely shape the response taken by police.
My experience is that its always nice when neighbors try to be good neighbors to each other, Benson said, adding that the majority of people follow these rules without concern.
Additionally, pit bull ownership is prohibited within the city of Wooster. Per the Wooster Dangerous and Vicious Animal Ordinance, pit bull dog shall include, but not be limited to, any of the following: American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier, or any mixed breed of dog which includes as an element of its breeding any of the aforementioned breeds as to be identifiable as partially of any of the aforementioned breeds.
While its important that dogs are not harming humans, its also vital that humans show dogs the same respect. The Ohio Animal Laws specify that owners do not abandon, injure or partake in any form of dog fighting. Dogs should be provided food, water and safety.
Ohio Animal Law 959.13 delegates that owners not impound or confine an animal without affording it, during such confinement, access to shelter from wind, rain, snow or excessive direct sunlight if it can reasonably be expected that the animals would otherwise become sick or in some other way suffer.
For more information, access to the Ohio Revised Codes, rabies regulations, Ohio Animal Laws and Wooster ordinances can be found on the Wayne County Humane Societys website, http://www.wchs.org/resources/legal-guidelines. The website also offers information on local veterinarians for pet care under the resources tab.
Owning a pet comes with many responsibilities. Please follow the laws and rules for the safety of your pet. They will love you unconditionally and not ask for much in return. Purchasing a dog license and wearing it at all times on their collar is like a prepaid bus ticket home, said Jarra Underwood, Wayne County auditor.
