Loose dogs problem in Beverly, Schawana

EPHRATA - The Grant County commissioners created a dog control zone in the Beverly and Schawana areas.

Owners in the area will need to license any dog more than six months old. The change will also require dogs to be contained on the owner's property.

Larry Ledeboer, Grant County Animal Control Officer, said people who violate either of the requirements would be cited depending on how many times they violate the law. Licenses are $25 per dog or $5 for neutered or spayed dogs.

Commissioner Cindy Carter said the area has an issue with abandoned dogs running loose and harassing residents and livestock.

"(The change is) just for the safety of the residents," she said. "(The area) was more of a dumping ground."

Commissioner LeRoy Allison agreed the change would give the sheriff's department the authority to take care of the problem, he said.

The proposal passed with one change.

David Bartrand, who owns land in the area, asked the commissioners to remove his property from the area because he said he already kills the dogs attacking livestock on his property.

Bartrand said the wild dog problem has gone on for decades, but he doesn't think the change will solve the problem. He said the 20 or 25 dog licenses the county would probably sell wouldn't allow them to hire an extra dog control officer, which is what the area needs.

"The only thing that you're doing is inconveniencing the people who are buying the licenses," he said. "I really hate killing them … but if they chase my mules onto the highway who's liable?"