It seems there is a difference of opinion when it comes to “dog rules” in Albert Lea. Some say “on a leash”; some say “under control.” So I had a novel idea. Why not look up the actual ordinance? This should settle some of the uncertainty:

Sections 14-36 of the Albert Lea city ordinance states:

“It is a petty misdemeanor for any owner to permit a dog to be unrestrained at any time. For purposes of this section, every dog at large is deemed at large and unrestrained with the permission and at the sufferance of its owner. If a violation of this section occurs, it shall be no defense that the offending dog escaped or is otherwise at large without the permission or sufferance of its owner.”

So what does it mean to be “restrained?” Check Sections 14-31:

“Restrained means within the limits of the owner’s property or while confined within a vehicle being driven or parked on the streets or on a leash, one end of which is attached to a collar worn by the animal and the other end of which is firmly held by a person of suitable age and discretion. Any animal not restrained is unrestrained and at large.”

This one surprised me. Sections 14-40:

“A. Owners of animals are at all times responsible for the sanitation of their animals, whether on their own property, on the property of other persons or on public property.

“B. It is a petty misdemeanor for any owner of a dog or other person in charge of a dog to be upon a park or other public property with a dog and not have in his immediate possession equipment for cleaning up any defecation which may emit from such dog or to fail to clean up the defecation immediately and dispose of it in a sanitary manner.

“C. It is a petty misdemeanor for any owner of an animal to permit animal waste to accumulate on his premises for more than 24 hours.”

I am not a dog hater; in fact, I love dogs and have owned several during my lifetime. I do not mean that the local police force should ticket every offender or stop every person walking a dog and ask them to show their plastic bag. (Actually the fines that would come in would have made it easier to balance the city’s budget this year!) What I mean is that it is time for animal owners who were unaware of these rules to step up to the plate, study these ordinances and abide by them. And as always, there are a few who make it bad for others. Hats off to all those we see walking their pets on leashes with that plastic bag in their hand!

 

Marlys Webber

Albert Lea