Sikeston residents reminded to be more responsible with pets

SIKESTON — Dogs running loose is a problem the city of Sikeston has occasionally had to deal with.

To ensure everyone lives in a safe and peaceful community, the city is now encouraging residents to be more responsible with their pets.

The city of Sikeston controls animal ownership, care and management to protect residents, according to Jamie Williams, Sikeston’s Pet and Animal Welfare Services, or PAWS, shelter manager. PAWS workers are those who run the city’s animal control program as well as the animal shelter. 

Williams said it is critical to ensure that pets are properly cared for by their owners and that the city’s regulations are followed.

“A pet might get injured from being struck by a car or may be seized, which may result in fees, citations and fines,” Williams said.

Williams said electric or invisible fences are not a lawful alternative to Sikeston’s leash laws and if a dog owner permits their dog to run uncontrolled on their property, they are accountable if the dog escapes.

“Those who have an underground fence need to make sure all parts associated with it are working properly, “ Williams said. “Issues such as cable damage, collar batteries going bad and other issues can cause the electrical fence to not work properly.”

A dog owner or keeper, according to Williams, must be responsible for their dog and maintain it under adequate control at all times by using a properly constructed leash or confinement. 

According to Williams, the owner must ensure that the animal is under the supervision of someone who has the physical and mental ability to do so.

No one should allow their dog to run free on the city’s streets, alleys or thoroughfares, or on property owned or occupied by any person, without the approval of the owner or person occupying such land, Williams said.

To view the rest of the city code, Chapter 205, Article III, which details the subject of a conviction and fine, visit the city of Sikeston’s website: sikeston.org.

For further information, contact Williams at 573-471-7387 (PETS).