Reminder for Dog Owners in the City of Millersburg

As nicer weather is approaching, we would like to remind our citizens of Dog Control Requirements within the City of Millersburg.  Dog Control enforcement in the City is handled by Linn County, under Linn County Code (LCC) Chapter 560.  Linn County Animal Control and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office enforce and cite violations of the Millersburg Municipal Code (MCC) section 7.28.120, the LCC Chapter 560 and ORS 609 Dogs; Exotic Animals; Dealers with regard to violations involving dogs. 

Dogs within the City are required to be licensed per LCC 560.200.

The MCC addresses dogs in City parks and open space, with LCC Chapter 560 and ORS 609 addressing dogs generally within the City.

Dogs off leash are a violation within the City’s parks and open spaces (MCC 7.28.120(1)) and within all public spaces including streets and sidewalks inside the City (LCC chapter 560 and ORS 609).

Owners of dogs or other animals are responsible for clean-up and removal of all waste deposited by their animals.  It should also be noted that dog owners who do not clean up and remove all waste deposited on private property can be subject to citation as a trespass on private property of persons other than the owner of the dog.

Under both LCC 560 and ORS 609, an owner can be cited for a dog as a public nuisance if the dog:

Chases vehicles;
Damages or destroys property of persons other than the owner of the dog;
Scatters garbage of persons other than the owner of the dog;
Trespasses on private property of persons other than the owner of the dog;
Disturbs any person by frequent or prolonged noises;
Is running at large; or
Chases, but does not bite, injure, wound, or kill a pet or domestic animal.

The owner or keeper of a dog shall not allow the dog to be a public nuisance as described above.

Any person who has cause to believe a dog is being maintained as a public nuisance described above, may complain either orally or in writing to Linn County Animal Control (541-967-3925).  The complaint shall be considered sufficient to cause for the director to investigate the matter.

Dog as a dangerous public nuisance.  A dog is a dangerous public nuisance if the dog:

Has been classified as a dangerous dog under LCC 560.650 but is not under the control of the County and awaiting disposition under LCC 560.640;
Has been classified as a potentially dangerous dog under LCC 560.640 and is not being regulated by the owner in compliance with LCC 560.670;
Bites, injures, wounds, kills or chases a person; or
Bites, injures, wounds, or kills a pet or domestic animal.

The owner or keeper of a dog shall not allow the dog to be a dangerous public nuisance as described above.

Any person who has cause to believe a dog is being maintained as a dangerous public nuisance described above, may complain either orally or in writing to Linn County Animal Control (541-967-3925).  The complaint shall be considered sufficient to cause for the director to investigate the matter.

Under the Linn County dog nuisance code, dogs can also be subject to impounding and further actions in addition to citation of the owner.

We ask pet owners to be mindful of others’ safety and personal property when walking your dogs and to pick up and properly dispose of any deposits from your dog(s) during your walks.  Thank you for your assistance in providing a safe environment for all our citizens and their pets. 

A link to LCC Chapter 560 Dog Control Code is provided below for your convenience

http://www.co.linn.or.us/cc/LCC%20560%20-%20Dog%20Control.pdf