Tuesday’s 51-degree temperatures are an indication spring is on the way, and Borderland residents are likely anxious to welcome the change in seasons.

As warmer weather approaches, people will spend more time outdoors with their animals, and should be aware of laws prohibiting dogs and cats from running at large.

An International Falls city ordinance states that “it is unlawful for the owner of a dog or cat to permit such animal to run at large. Any dog shall be deemed to be running at large with the permission of the owner unless it is on a durable leash secured to an object which it cannot move and on the premises of the owner, or on a leash and under the control of an accompanying person of suitable age and discretion.

“Any cat shall be deemed to be running at large with the permission of the owner unless it is on the premises of the owner.”

According to the ordinance, consequences for any animal found running at large within city limits include placing the animal at the Borderland Humane Society’s holding facility.

BHS volunteer Kallie Kantos-Fritz explained when an animal is brought to the holding facility, animal care attendants spend time with the animal to complete an assessment and scan the animal for microchips.

“They look at the collars and hope that information is written on the inside of the collar with a Sharpie (marker) so the animal can be identified and returned home quickly as possible,” she said.

However, she noted that animals running at large very seldom come into the holding facility with identification tags.

Once a dog or cat is placed at the holding facility, the ordinance acknowledges that if the owner of the animal is unknown, a “written notice shall be posted for five days at the city hall describing he dog or cat and place and time of taking.”

Kantos-Fritz noted that a fee is set on animals located at the holding facility and the amount increases daily until it hits the adoption price, which she said is $75 for dogs more than 6 months old and $60 for cats more than 6 months old.

“Once the owner comes in, she or he is required to sign some paperwork required by the BHS... and purchase a license,” Kantos-Fritz said. “If the animal is not spayed or neutered, the BHS offers to help with the cost of the surgery by providing a $50 voucher that may be used at any local vet's office.”

Cleaning up

Kantos-Fritz also issued a reminder that animal owners living within city limits are required by law to clean up after their dogs and cats.

The same city ordinance says that “it is unlawful for the owner of any dog or cat to fail to remove dog or cat waste deposited on public or private property.”

“It becomes a huge health issue,” Kantos-Fritz added.

Failure to pickup pet waste could result in the spread of a disease called canine parvovirusis, she said.  

According to Wikipedia.com, canine parvovirusis or “parvo” is a contagious virus mainly affecting dogs. The disease is highly contagious and is spread from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact with their feces. It can be especially severe in puppies that are not protected by maternal antibodies or vaccination.

Parvo has two distinct presentations, a cardiac and intestinal form. Vaccines can prevent this infection, but mortality can reach 91 percent in untreated cases, according to the site.

“We had a very bad experience with (parvo) last year,” Kantos-Fritz said. “One of our beautiful pups contracted parvo. (We) thought she was going to make it, but in the end...she couldn’t fight anymore and was in pain so we let her go. It broke all of our hearts.”

For more information on city ordinances, call the Falls Municipal Building at 283-9484 or the Borderland Humane Society at 283-9276.