ANIMAL CONTROL LAWS
Archuleta County and Town of Pagosa Springs
Service Area
The Archuleta County Animal Control Division provides services in the unincorporated areas of Archuleta County. The Animal Control Division does not have the authority to provide services in the Town of Pagosa Springs or outside of the county jurisdiction. If you are outside our service area, please contact your local police department or sheriff's office for animal-related issues.
When Will Animal Control Officers Respond To My Call?
Calls must be handled on a priority basis. How quickly an officer can respond to a specific call depends not only upon the priority of that call, but also on how many calls of a higher priority are occurring at that particular time. For example, calls involving an injured animal or immediate danger of injury or harm to a person (from an animal) are the highest priority. Conversely, calls regarding a barking dog might take a little longer to respond to. Your patience and support is appreciated.
After Hours Animal Control will respond to vicious animals, dog bites, injured animals and in progress incidents of dogs chasing wildlife. Animal Control will also respond to a DUI arrest when an animal's welfare is involved.
When Will Animal Control Officers Not Respond To My Call?
County Animal Control and Pagosa Lakes Animal Control do not handle calls in reference to skunks, cats or any wildlife unless it is an emergency situation. (An emergency consists of unsafe conditions for animals and humans.)
What Does the Animal Control Division Do?
- Investigates, prevents and stops animal neglect and cruelty
- Educates the public about animal welfare
- Enforces animal-related laws by educating pet owners, issuing citations and, if needed, impounding animals
- Protects the public from dangerous animals
- Quarantines animals who have bitten or attacked
- Rescues animals that are in danger, sick or injured
- Assists other law enforcement agencies
Our Animal Control Officers Respond To Calls About:
- Dogs at large
- Barking dogs
- Found or unwanted animals to be picked up
- Aggressive animals
- Stray animals that are injured, sick or in danger
- Animal attacks upon other animals or people
- Animal bites to other animals or people
- Animal cruelty and neglect
- Animals in traffic or loose livestock on highway
Animal Control Hours
SATURDAY - TUESDAY 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY - FRIDAY 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
970-264-2131 (for reporting problems -- anytime, 24 hours per day)
All dogs picked up by Animal Control are taken to the Humane Society of Pagosa Springs Animal Shelter
County Ordinance(s) - CO
OWNER. Any person or entity, owning, keeping, harboring, possessing or having control of dog.
NUISANCE DOG. No Owner shall willingly and knowingly permit a dog to be a nuisance dog. (loud, habitual & persistent barking, howling, yelping or whining, sufficient to interfere with any person in the reasonable & comfortable enjoyment of life or property.) CO 4.3
RUNNING AT LARGE. The running at large of any dog in Archuleta County is hereby prohibited. (Dog not under control. ) CO - 4.2
VICIOUS DOG. It shall be unlawful to own or possess a vicious dog. (Dog that without provocation attacks or threatens a person or other animal.) CO - 4.4
RABIES VACCINATION. All canine over 12 weeks of age and residing in Archuleta County shall be vaccinated against rabies using a vaccine administered by a Colorado licensed veterinarian.
UNDER CONTROL: Dogs shall be kept under control by their Owners at all times. CO 4.1
- On a leash of sufficient strength to restrain the dog.
- Confined in a building, fence or other structure in such a way that he does not escape. Or is on property possessed by its owner.
- The dog is to be within sight and hearing distance of its owner, keeper or family member, who upon command can call dog within a distance of four feet of such person.
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| "Our mission is to provide a safe haven for animals in need, promote adoptions, reunite lost pets with their owners, and humanely reduce pet overpopulation through community education and aggressive spay/neuter programs."
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