At Monday’s Lawrence County Quorum Court meeting a discussion was brought forward concerning animal control. Mayor Charles Snapp of Walnut Ridge addressed the court and explained the cities recent purchase of the Gateway Animal Clinic. Snapp discussed a possible countywide control effort with the Gateway facility to possibly be used. Snapp expressed the facility can be used if proper funding was put in place but added that he was not offering a Walnut Ridge run facility.
Walnut Ridge and Hoxie have both experienced animal control problems, Mayor Snapp has a fulltime animal control officer in place and the City of Hoxie has dealt with multiple problems including several dog bites in the city. A countywide animal control effort was discussed at Monday night’s Lawrence County Quorum Court meeting, a countywide effort, which would split expenses between Walnut Ridge, the county and other cities, has yet to be developed. Snapp said he has spoken with several Lawrence County mayors who have interest in the program. Imboden is another city with a dog registration and ordinance in place along with a dedicated animal control officer. Justices agreed that the stray dog and cat population needs to be addressed and they are prepared to support a countywide effort and write an ordinance to set new regulations should an agreement be reached.
Challenges faced in a countywide plan would include the manpower needed to respond to calls, at the present time the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office responds to calls received by the dispatch center. Officers often deal with livestock that is out in the roadway as well as dangerous dog calls across the county. We will continue to track updates of this situation.