How to Report an At-Large Dog

Dog confinement is required in all of Blount County. To report a violation, follow the steps below.

A Note About Applicability

Only under all of the following conditions is enforcement possible:

• Running at large is prohibited at the location by either a municipal ordinance and/or by the state confinement law (the entirety of Blount County is covered), and
• The dog is owned, and
• The owner can be identified, such as a neighbor who allows his dog to run loose. (If the dog in question does not seem to belong to a neighbor, see this guide on helping lost, stray, or abandoned animals.)

Relatedly, if an owned dog harms chickens or livestock on your property, whether or not dog confinement is required in your area, you may seek reimbursement.

How to Report

1. Locate: Note the address at which the dog is running at large.
2. Collect evidence: Take photos or videos that clearly show the dog off of the owner’s premises in violation of the law. Ensure that both the dog and surrounding landmarks can be identified.
3. Report: If the violation is within municipal limits of Blountsville, Cleveland, Hayden, Highland Lake, Oneonta, or Snead, report to local police for quickest response and to ensure that the violation is charged under the municipal ordinance where applicable. In other areas, call Blount County Dispatch at 205-625-4913. State that you would like to report a dog-at-large violation. You might mention the law you are reporting under, whether § 3-1-5 or an applicable municipal ordinance.

An officer or appointed agent may address the situation in a variety of ways. Most commonly, the officer will attempt to inform the dog owner that he must comply with the law, issue a warning, and prepare an Incident Report. If the neighbor denies ownership, the officer may impound the dog. A citation may be issued if the officer witnesses the violation.

Residents may bring evidence of violation directly to the court:

5. Follow up. After allowing the dog owner reasonable time to comply, pick up a copy of the Incident Report from the agency to which you reported (sheriff’s office or the municipality’s police department).
6. Press charges. Bring the Report and your evidence to the appropriate courthouse (municipal or county) during magistrate hours to write a statement and speak with a magistrate. If there is sufficient cause to charge the dog owner, he will be summoned to court to have the opportunity to plead guilty or to contest.

If you have questions or if your report is not addressed as expected, please be in touch.