Commission to schedule public hearing on proposed dog ordinance enforcement changes; discussion includes ticketing and escalating fines

Rich County commissioners discussed proposed changes to the county dog ordinance intended to give the sheriff’s office more enforcement options, including authority to issue tickets with escalating fines for repeat violations.

Commissioners said they wanted to avoid simply impounding dogs and instead provide the sheriff with a citation-and-fine tool that could escalate on repeat offenses. Randall Knight summarized the enforcement approach discussed with attorneys: a ticketing system with a warning structure (verbal warning, then fines that increase on subsequent violations). Commissioners discussed whether fines should escalate on second and third offenses and how to define violations (barking, animals running at large, nuisance complaints).

The commission directed staff to meet with the sheriff to collect enforcement parameters and to prepare draft ordinance language. Commissioners agreed to schedule a public hearing—tentatively for the September meeting—so the public could comment before any ordinance change. No ordinance was adopted at the meeting; commissioners requested draft language and guidance from the sheriff ahead of the hearing.