Amarillo Animal Activists To Address Amarillo Animal Control

The Amarillo Animal Control Board will be holding a meeting to discuss the state laws in place.  Animal activists plan on being at the meeting to discuss them as well.  It's not about how Animal Control deals with animals, it's about the safety of pets in the city.  About the things pet owners should be doing, not just because it's law, in my opinion, because it's just what you're supposed to do as a pet owner.  BTW, that's me and my baby, Nena :)

Issues like the condition of the water pets are given to drink.  Is the water fresh?  Is the water bowl coated in mold?  Is the water clear, or murky?

Also, the topic of laws concerning the chaining of animals will be brought up.

Animal Control says current citation numbers prove the new state laws have been working.

Connect Amarillo

"Assistant Director of Amarillo Animal Control Shannon Barlow said, although certain aspects of these laws may not be spelled out in writing for the public, she said officers know when someone is in violation of the law.

"I can't really answer or speak for the public," Barlow said. "But I can speak from the officers perspective that they're very clear, and they know what to look for."

Barlow said current numbers prove state laws in place seem to be working.

In January 2013 officers cited more than 300 pet owners for multiple violations, compared to January 2014 where nearly 400 citations were written. Barlow said the increase in citations means officers are on the lookout for the slightest sign of animal abuse. The violations include areas in Potter and Randall County, as well as Canyon.

"We have people that are repeat offenders or their dogs are repeat offenders," Barlow said. "We've educated and educated. We've fined them and we've taken them to court. We've done what we need to address the issues."