Bonner County amends animal ordinance

SANDPOINT - Bonner County is fine-tuning its animal control ordinance to ease the strain on budgets and focus attention on residents who are unwilling to curb their dog's barking or rogue defecation.

Under the current ordinance, a resident who allows their dog to be a nuisance by barking or allowing it to make deposits on somebody else's property can be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

Due to the grade of the offense, defendants can obtain a taxpayer-funded defense attorney if they qualify, which burdens the Public Defender's Office.

"It was an extra cost to the county," said Sheriff Daryl Wheeler.

Under the modified ordinance, first- and second-time offenders will be charged with an infraction, an offense that does not trigger the potential need for a public defender. A first-time offense results in a $75 fine. The fine graduates to $100 for a second offense within a five-year period.

If a person has been twice convicted of the offense and is tagged a third time within a five-year period, they face prosecution at the misdemeanor level.

"This helps to streamline," Wheeler said.

Under the new ordinance, fines collected in a case stay in Bonner County instead of going to the state, according to county officials.

Bonner County commissioners approved the ordinance modifications on Tuesday.