Mattawa council discusses animal control

MATTAWA – Mattawa City Council members discussed dogs running at large during the council’s Thursday meeting after a problem with a dog at the residence of council member Sylvia Barajas. 

“It just barks at everything that passes – cars, humans, everything,” Barajas said.  

The dog has caused problems in her neighborhood, she said, and family members have mistaken it for her dog. Her family members eventually caught the stray. When she inquired about animal control, she was told the city lacked equipment, she said. 

Public Works Director Juan Ledezma said city officials have some challenges with that equipment.  

“We found, when placing them around, they were going to be damaged,” Ledezma said. “Unless we’re monitoring it, it gets run over and they’re (difficult) to repair and fix, and we end up buying a new one.” 

Dogs more than six months of age living within the city limits must be licensed, he said. 

“If you feed a dog, then you assume responsibility for the dog,” Ledezma added.