Division :: Sheriff :: Animal Control
Licenses
Why license my dog? It's the law! There are other reasons to purchase a license and have your dog wear it?
- A lost dog and its owner can identified by the license tag, eliminating searches, newspaper ads, etc.
- You will be notified if your dog should be impounded.
- A dog wearing a current license would receive emergency medical care if injured and impounded.
Dog License Requirements
Every person owning or keeping a keeping a dog in Wasco County must purchase a Dog License when the dog is six months of age or grows its permanent canine teeth, whichever comes first.
OR
Within 30 days of becoming owner or keeper
OR
Within 30 days of moving into the county.
You must have a valid RABIES INNOCULATION CERTIFICATE issued and signed by the veterinarian at the time of licensing. The expiration date of the dog license cannot exceed the expiration date of the rabies certification by more than two months.
For altered dogs, you must have a SPAY OR NEUTER CERTIFICATE with a complete description of the dog and the date of the surgery to obtain the discounted license rate for altered dogs.
Common Animal Problems
Injured Domestic Animal
Call Animal Control if you find or have information regarding an injured domestic animal. During regular business hours, an Animal Control officer will take the injured animal to one of several veterinarian clinics in Wasco County to receive life-saving treatment and first aid.
If the animal is wearing a license, then Animal Control will notify the owner.
Dog Bite
Animal Control investigates all dog bite reports to confirm the dog is currently vaccinated against rabies. If you are the victim of a dog bite, you or your medical care professional must file a dog bite report to Animal Control.
If you are the owner of the dog, you must file a dog bite report with Animal Control. You must give the name and address of the person who was bitten (if known), and you must abide by any quarantine instructions given to you by the Animal Control Officer.
Vicious/dangerous dog
Animal Control responds to vicious dog complaints. If the dog is on its own property and menacing, then the dog is not considered a violation. However, if the dog is off its property and menacing, the dog is considered dangerous. If the dog is vicious (actually attacking), Animal Control will respond to the scene to try to apprehend the dog in order to protect the public.
Animal at Large
Wasco County Animal Control receives many calls every day from irate neighbors of dog owners whose dogs are creating a problem and a nuisance by running at large.
It is unlawful under State statute for any person to be the keeper of a dog running at large. Dog at large means a dog off or outside the premises of the owner or not under the immediate control, or command of an owner thereof. If a dog is not at heel or not a working dog in the field, that dog shall be deemed at large.
There may be many reasons why dogs run at-large and often when two neighbors get together and discuss the reason, the problem is taken care of without legal process. Many times the dog owner simply does not know that the dog is running at large because the dog only runs when it is lonely during the day. Making the dog owner aware of the situation usually solves the problem.
If after speaking with the owner the problem continues, Animal Control will dispatch an officer to discuss the problem with the dog owner. Any dog found running at large may be impounded. If impounded, redemption fees and fines will then be charged.
Barking or other nuisance
Animal Control receives many calls every day from irate neighbors of dog owners whose dogs are creating a problem and a nuisance by barking.
It is unlawful under State statute for any person to be the keeper of a dog which the person fails to prevent from being a public nuisance by disturbing the peace, comfort, health or repose of any person of reasonable sensitivity by making loud, long unnecessary and continuous noises. Unlawful barking is defined as incessant or prolonged barking beyond a 15-minute period at any time of day or night.
There may be many reasons why the dog is barking and often when two neighbors get together and discuss the reason, the problem is taken care of without legal process. Many times the dog owner simply does not know that the dog is barking because the dog only barks while it is lonely during the day. Making the dog owner aware of the situation usually solves the problem.
If after speaking with the owner the problem continues, Animal Control will dispatch an officer to the dog owner. Barking violations are subject to fines.
Cruelty, neglect, confinement or abandonment
It is unlawful to commit acts of cruelty and/or neglect to animals. This includes abuse; neglect; abandonment; deprivation of food, drink or adequate and humane shelter; or confinement in a motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the health or well-being of the animal.
Animal Control investigates the cruelty and/or neglect of any animal. Call Wasco County Animal Control (or the appropriate law enforcement agency) to report any abuse or neglect. The complainant must provide their name, address, telephone number, cross street, animal owner's name (if known), address, and cross street. The complainant must specify what the problem is, the type of animal allegedly incurring the cruelty, and when the complainant first noticed the problem.
Abuse and/or neglect convictions are subject to fines and/or imprisonment.