Who let the dogs out?

In recent months, canine complaints have been on the rise in New Rockford.

Loose dogs accused of harassing pets and biting residents have been seen roaming the streets of New Rockford, and city officials discussed the problem at their August meeting.

Two of those dogs, both pit bulls, have been sitting in the local dog pound recently, one of which recently escaped the pound before being caught a second time.

One of the pit bulls is accused of biting a New Rockford resident and another resident's 14-year-old pet Labrador. The other is accused of attacking pets and eating one resident's chickens.

Official complaints have been filed with the city for other loose and nuisance dogs as well, and commissioners discussed several options to address the issue.

"We have seen a big increase in dogs running loose in our town," wrote one resident who filed a complaint. "We have video of a dog in our yard and I have been to the owner's house and the sheriff has spoken to the owner, and still the dog runs loose.

"Social media has others complaining about the same issue," the resident added. "It needs to be addressed by the city."

In response to the recent uproar, Commission President Stu Richter suggested an outright ban on pit bulls in the City of New Rockford, a decision many other city's have also taken.

However, City Attorney Travis Peterson recommended against such an ordinance, citing concerns with any breed specific bans that could open the city up to lawsuits, such as a federal lawsuit currently ongoing in Williston, N.D.

He also mentioned that costs to enforce such a ban can get very high, as they have in other cities, and commissioners noted that New Rockford doesn't have problems with just one breed of dog.

"The trend, honestly, for the past few years seems to be repealing breed-specific ordinances," said Peterson. "Minot had one, and they've repealed it. ... I would not recommend a breed-specific prohibition at this point in time."

Commissioners seemed to accept that a breed-specific ban wouldn't be ideal, and moved on to discuss potential amendments to existing ordinance related to dangerous animals and impoundment.

Commissioner Jim Belquist suggested considerably increasing fees on those who have to reclaim their animal from the dog pound.

Currently the fee is $25 for the first offense, and increases to $50 if the dog is impounded a second time within 12 months. Belquist suggested drastically increasing that number to around $250, which could then be doubled for every additional impoundment.

No final decision was made, but commissioners seemed to agree with amending existing ordinance to include tougher punishments for irresponsible pet owners, and that they'll likely have an ordinance drafted in time for their September meeting.

Regarding the two pit bulls impounded at the time of last Monday's meeting, one of them has a court hearing scheduled for August 15, at which a judge will decide its fate.

The owner of the other pit bull, who city officials hadn't been able to get ahold of for several days, was given an additional 24 hours to reclaim their dog ....

City officials encouraged residents who witness or experience "public nuisance" dog behavior to file complaints with the Eddy County Sheriff's Office, which could allow action to be taken and would provide evidence should that dog face a court hearing.

According to New Rockford City Ordinance, a dog can be deemed a public nuisance for any of the following acts:

Habitually at large.

Habitually annoys, barks at or chases any person or vehicle.

Habitually disturbs the peace by barking, howling, yelping or fighting.

Bites any person off the premises of the owner.

Habitually attack and injures, without provocation, any domestic animal or bird.