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Animal Control |
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| Animal Control ordinances encourage responsible pet ownership. Owning a pet is a privilege, but also a big responsibility. Animal control laws protect public health and safety and keep owners from allowing their animals to be a nuisance to their neighbors. These laws also protect the animal from cruel treatment, neglect, and injury. The Animal Control Unit is currently comprised of three Animal Control Officers. |
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Vaccinations | Leash Law | Sanitation - Responsibility of Owner | Barking Dogs | Cruelty / Neglect | Cats / Stray Cats | Animal Bites | Animal Limit / Restrictions | Wildlife VaccinationsAll dogs, cats, and ferrets in Broomfield must be vaccinated against rabies within 30 days after acquiring the animal or it reaches three months of age. A Broomfield rabies tag is required. If your animal is vaccinated at a local veterinarian, you will be given a Broomfield rabies tag. A Broomfield rabies tag can also be obtained by bringing your current rabies certificates to the Community Assistance Center at Broomfield's Municipal Center located at One DesCombes Drive. For more information, please see the Rabies Control portion of the Broomfield Municipal Code. Leash LawBroomfield's Running At Large ordinance refers to all animals except domesticated cats that are "off leash". An animal is considered to be Running at Large if it is:
Stray animals are impounded, and owners must pay impound fees when claiming their animals and a summons may be issued. For more information, please see the Leash Law portion of the Broomfield Municipal Code. Sanitation - Responsibility of OwnerAll citizens are responsible for cleaning up after their animal on any public property where permission was not obtained from the property owner. Also, citizens' yards must be kept clean of excessive excrement due to health hazards and odor. For more information, please see the Sanitation - Responsibility of Owner portion of the Broomfield Municipal Code. Barking Dogs / Disturbing the PeaceCitizens disturbed by a noisy animal may call the Police Department and complain any time they feel their peace is being disturbed. However, citizens are initially encouraged to contact the offending animal's owner and try to resolve the barking problem on their own. Once a call to the Police Department has been made, the owner of the animal will be contacted by an Animal Control Officer or a police officer and advised of the complaint. A summons can only be served if there are at least two individual complainants from separate households (an officer witnessing the barking may be the second complainant). For more information, please see the Barking Dogs and Disturbing the Peace portion of the Broomfield Municipal Code Cruelty / NeglectOwners of animals must provide adequate shelter, food, water, and adequate veterinary care for their pets. Intentional acts of cruelty such as abandonment, harassment, and torture will be prosecuted. All suspected cruelty or neglect cases should be reported to the Broomfield Police non-emergency number 303-438-6400. Complainants may remain anonymous. For more information, please see Title 6-32, Cruelty to Animals, of the Broomfield Municipal Code. Cats / Stray CatsCats are considered free roaming animals, and are not subject to the Running at Large ordinance of the City and County of Broomfield. Cat owners are encouraged to keep their cats indoors. Those that choose to allow their cats to roam outdoors are still responsible for the activity of their cat when it is loose in the neighborhood. Cat owners are responsible for:
A summons may be issued to the owner of a cat that is found to be in violation of these ordnances. The Police Department's Animal Control Unit does not loan cat traps, nor do they impound stray cats. If you have found a stray cat and do not want to keep it as your own, you may be do one of the following:
Animal BitesAll dog, cat, or ferret bites to humans must be reported to the Police Department. The biting dog, cat, or ferret must be placed in quarantine for ten days per state law, and proof of a current rabies vaccination must be shown. Most animals can be quarantined at home. An investigation will be conducted and a summons may be issued for any applicable violations. For more information, please see the Title 6, Animals, of the Broomfield Municipal Code. Citizens living in Broomfield are allowed four adult animals in each residence. Animals over six months of age are considered adults. This does not apply to fish or birds. Livestock, fowl, exotic animals, wildlife, or endangered species are not allowed as pets within the City and County of Broomfield. Non-poisonous snakes and ferrets are allowed. For more information, please see the Animal Limits / Restrictions portion of the Broomfield Municipal Code. Broomfield Animal Control does not respond to wildlife issues unless it is an immediate health or safety issue. This includes: foxes, raccoons, deer, skunks, birds, bears, mountain lions, rabbits, and squirrels. The Colorado Revised Statute 33-1-101 states, "It is the policy of the State of Colorado that the wildlife and their environment are to be protected, preserved, enhanced, and managed for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the people of this State and its visitors." Wildlife resources include: Colorado Division
of Wildlife, 303-291-7227 CSU Extension, Wildlife Questions 720-887-2286 Wildlife Master's Help Line 303-464-5554 |