Animal Control

     The goal of the Baxter Springs Animal Control Program is to help the people of our city and their pets live together peacefully. The animal control officer is an experienced professional and is committed to maintaining the safety of residents and a quality standard of care for the pets of our city. This goal is pursued through strict enforcement of Animal Control Ordinances, as well as by providing education to residents on the proper care and handling of animals.

Animal Control Services:
•Lost Animals
•Animal Complaints
•Animal Bite Information
•Animal Abuse
•Running At Large
•Dangerous/Potentially Dangerous Animals
•Animal Traps

     Each residence is authorized to have no more than 4 animals. This can be either cats or dogs or any combination not to exceed the 4 maximum. All animals older than 4 months must have current Rabies vaccinations and city animal license.  The city animal license can be obtained at City Hall.  You will be required to bring with you evidence of current vaccinations.  The current license fees are:

•Unspayed/Unneutered Dog      $5.00
•Spayed/Neutered Dog              $1.00
•Unspayed/Unneutered Cat       $2.50
•Spayed/Neutered Cat               $1.00

       Animals picked up loose in the city are taken to the City’s shelter located at 121 Park Street. If your animal is missing, it is a good idea to contact the Police Department to see if your pet has been picked up. Any animal admitted to the shelter will have a record including a picture of the animal available for review any time at the police department Dispatch area. The Animal Control Officer is generally on duty Monday thru Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 PM. Hours and days are subject to change as the animal conditions warrant.  

Complaints:

     Where do you call with an animal complaint? Contact the Police Department at 856-2112, the dispatcher on duty will take down all the appropriate information to pass along to the Animal Control Officer. Complaints received when the ACO is not on duty will be given to the ACO at the next regularly scheduled duty time. Complaints of an urgent nature (bites, vicious animal, barking dogs disturbing the peace) that occur when the ACO is not on duty will be given to an on duty Police Officer to check out. The Animal Control Officer can only issue citations for violations witnessed. In those cases where you have witnessed a recurring problem you may need to consider signing a complaint, then the offending party will be issued a Notice to Appear to answer the complaint in our municipal court. If this occurs, you will be required to attend municipal court to testify on behalf of your complaint.

Animal Bite Information:

      What happens if a dog/cat or other animal bites a person? Notify the Police Department as soon as possible following the incident. First priority should be to take care of any medical needs the person who was bitten. All victims of animal bites should consult a physician. When notified of the bite, animal control will contact the person bitten to investigate the circumstances of the bite. If the animal that bit does not have current Rabies vaccinations a quarantine of the animal that bit someone is conducted. This is to ensure that rabies is not present in the animal. The quarantine period is for 10 days from the date of the bite and, depending on the circumstances of the bite, may generally occur at the City Shelter, a veterinarian’s office or at the home of the animal owner. The cost of impoundment will paid by the owner of the animal.

Animal Abuse:

      What is the proper way to take care of my dog/cat?  Some minimum care requirements for pet dogs and cats include:

 •Suitable shelter for animals kept outside. An example would be a dog house for a dog being kept outdoors. Shelter should be in a shaded area during the heat of summer.
Food suitable for the animal and access to fresh, clean, unfrozen water is also required.
•Normal and prudent care of pets including exercise, veterinary care, etc.
•Up-to-date rabies vaccination (administered by a licensed vet) for dogs and cats.

     Animals Running At Large To report a loose animal contact the Baxter Springs Police Department at 856.2112, 24 hours a day Control of your Animals:

     Owners are required to keep their pets under proper restraint. Restraint may include a secure building, fenced area, secured by a chain or cable, on a leash at “heel” of a competent person or in a secured manner in a vehicle. A dog may also be considered under restraint if on the owner’s property with the presence of the owner and is responsive to the owners’ commands. These requirements apply equally to cats.

     Dangerous/Potentially Dangerous Animals City animal control ordinance includes sections dealing with potentially dangerous or dangerous animals. In most cases these situations involve dogs that have aggressively attacked and/or bitten someone. Owners of potentially dangerous or dangerous dogs may be issued a municipal citation and if found guilty, may have sanctions imposed upon them and/or their dog.

     Animal Traps How do I get a trap for trapping stray/wild animals? The Baxter Springs Police department operates a trap loan program whereby residents that are having a problem with a stray or wild animal may request a trap be set at their residence. You can call the Police Department and Animal Control will provide animal trapping services to residents of Baxter Springs in accordance with Baxter Springs City Code and Kansas Statues. Traps will not be set during inclement weather (i.e. rain, cold) or when the ACO will not be available to regularly monitor (i.e. holidays). Unless the ACO is familiar with a trapping request location and/or the person requesting the trap, a trap will not be set unless the property owner/occupant is present. This is to allow the ACO to provide education on the proper use and baiting of the trap. Traps will not be set over weekends or other times when the ACO is not on duty.

Prohibited Animals:

     The Code of Baxter Springs contains a complete list of prohibited animals within the city limits, the following is a brief list of the more frequent prohibited animals encountered:
• Pit Bull (bull terrier breed of dog, Staffordshire bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier)
•Rottweiler
•Chickens (rooster or hen)
•Goats
•All poisonous animals including rear-fang snakes.
•Constrictor snakes
•Skunks
•Raccoons

     Complete details of the City of Baxter Springs Animal Ordinance can be reviewed at City Hall during their normal hours of operation.