Clearlake authorities to crack down on pet owners

<p>Clearlake authorities are cracking down on dog owners who fail to neuter, license or obtain rabies vaccinations for their pets.</p><p>In the first sweep of its kind since the city created its own Animal Control department, Clearlake police and animal control officers visited 38 homes earlier this month <NO1><NO>to see if dog owners were complying with animal ownership laws.</p><p>They issued citations to 15 people for 38 violations involving 24 dogs, Animal Control Officer Lee Lambert said. Those targeted were asked to produce documents proving they were in compliance, officials said.</p><p>Similar operations will be conducted in the future, Lambert<NO1><NO> said.</p><p>It's common to check up on pet owners who previously violated animal ownership laws, but police sweeps of this magnitude are rare, Clearlake Police Chief Craig Clausen said.</p><p>“This is our first special enforcement for animal control,” Clausen said. Lake County animal control officials said they have not conducted sweep operations.</p><p>The city created its own Animal Control department last year. The new department has just one officer, who has access to police assistance.</p><p>The people cited on Saturday had prior contacts with Animal Control officials, either because someone had complained about their dogs or the dogs were impounded for running loose, Lambert said. All had previously been issued warnings.</p><p>Lambert said the operation focused on unneutered pets because they produce unwanted animals that are burdening animal control agencies and rescue groups. “It's a big problem here,” he said.</p><p>The city impounded 547 cats and dogs during the last fiscal year, Lambert said. Lake County Animal Care & Control, which boards some of the city's seized animals, impounded nearly 4,000 animals across the county in fiscal year 2010-2011, according to Animal Care & Control Director William Davidson. Almost half were euthanized.</p><p>Nationwide, an estimated 6 million to 8 million unwanted animals enter shelters each year. About half are euthanized, according to the Humane Society of the United States.</p><p>In an effort to reduce those numbers, the city of Clearlake since 2006 has required that pet owners neuter cats and dogs over the age of 4 months unless they fall under one of its exceptions, including one for specified animals kept for breeding. State and local laws requiring licensing and rabies vaccines for dogs have been in effect for decades.</p><p><NO1><NO>Clearlake created its own agency in an effort to save money. Clausen said the Animal Control budget has been reduced from about $200,000 a year to $100,000. But it has just a few pens, and each animal it sends to the county shelter costs almost $70 for just the first day, officials said.</p><p>Both the city and pet owners will save money when they comply with animal regulations, Lambert said.</p><p>The fine for failing to have a dog vaccinated for rabies is $245. The fine for failing to neuter a cat or dog is $435.</p><p>Lambert noted that low-cost vaccines, spay and neuter clinics and vouchers are available through the Animal Coalition of Lake County and the SPCA of Clearlake. The county also holds vaccination clinics.<NO1></p><p>You can reach Staff Writer Glenda Anderson at 462-6473 or glenda.anderson@pressdemocrat.com</p>