Beginning Monday, January 21, a new ordinance goes into effect for dog owners in Mountainburg, according to the Mountainburg Police Department.

Police said they have been issuing warnings and following up on complaints with citations until this point and it has had little effect on the problem.

They said they have been directed to take a zero-tolerance approach in order to maintain peace and public safety.

The Ordinance, simply put:

It is unlawful for a dog or dogs to run off of an owners property. Dogs must be tethered if not restricted to the property by rope, chain, or enclosure. It is unlawful to have more than four adult dogs (over the age of 6 months). It is unlawful to house a vicious animal in the city limits. (See the Ordinance or call 479-369-2000 for more information on what defines a vicious animal). It is unlawful to keep, house, or harbor any dog that disturbs the peace of neighbors by loud and frequent barking. All dog owners must keep their premises reasonably free of offensive odors and unsanitary conditions. Those convicted of a violation of this ordinance are subject to a fine between $150 – $500 per offense.

The Mountainburg Police Department wants to make clear that The City of Mountainburg doesn’t have a permanent facility to keep the dogs, therefore they will be picking up the animals and citing their owners within city limits.

If you catch a dog and bring it to the police department, you will be responsible for that animal.

If you have feed or cared for a stray dog, then according to the ordinance, you take ownership of that animal and are liable under the ordinance.

The full City Ordinance(2006-05) on all Mountainburgh dogs can be found on the @mountainburgpd Instagram page.