Frequently Asked Questions
What are the procedures for an animal bite?
Colorado Revised Statue 25-4-603 requires all animal bites be reported within twelve (12) hours. If you have been bitten by an animal or your pet has bitten someone Call your local Animal Law Enforcement Services IMMEDIATELY (see contact for appropriate phone numbers). If the bite occurs after normal hours of operation and the biting animal is still at large and a threat to public safety, call your local police department or sheriff’s office, or dial 911.
An animal law enforcement officer will contact the owner and victim to complete a bite report and to quarantine the animal.
Domestic pets are quarantined for 10 days from the date of the bite or exposure, including the day of the bite or exposure. Quarantines generally require confinement at the owner's home to prevent the animal from wandering or from coming into contact with people or pets that do not live in the same household. Home quarantines are normally permitted unless the owner is unwilling or unable to securely confine the animal during the quarantine period or when there are Dangerous Animal charges filed or pending. If animals are not quarantined at home, they are confined at a veterinary hospital or the animal shelter. Officers determine quarantine sites based on the circumstances of each incident on a case-by-case basis. Home quarantines are not an owner's right, but a courtesy extended to responsible owners. Quarantines at locations other than the owner's home will be at the owner's expenses.
After the 10-Quarantine period has ended, an animal law enforcement officer will follow-up to ensure the animal does not exhibit any signs or symptoms that are consistent with the rabies virus and release the animal from quarantine.
This is a matter of public safety and health and must be taken seriously.
What can I do about my pet’s behavioral problems?
Patience and consistency are the keys to successful training and behavior modification, but you must start with good information. We strongly recommend dog obedience lessons for all canines, beginning from puppy-hood. Many excellent trainers work in this area. Consult local dog obedience clubs in the telephone directory, or contact breed or dog clubs for recommendations. Consult local cat clubs or your veterinarian about behavior modification for cats.
Most pets turned in to shelters are relinquished because of behavior problems, many of which are minor in nature and easily corrected. If you are going to be a responsible, good pet owner, you must be prepared to take the time to train your pet and maintain that training. Training makes your pet easier to live with, happier, better adjusted and a welcome community member.
Who do I call for dead animal removal?
Animal Law Enforcement Services does not pick up dead animals with the exception of Pueblo. For dead animal removal on public streets in Pueblo, please call (719) 544-3005.
For dead animal removal on public streets in the city of Centennial, please call Centennial Public Works at (303) 325-8000.
Dead animals on public streets in the city of Colorado Springs are removed by the Colorado Springs Road Department at (719) 385-5934. For other areas in El Paso County outside Colorado Springs please call El Paso County Road Department at (719) 520-6460.
In Douglas County, dead animals that are on public streets are picked up by a dead animal removal service that is administered by the Douglas County Sheriff Office. To request a dead animal to be picked up in Douglas County call DCSO Dispatch at (303) 660-7500. Dead animals on Highways or Interstates in Douglas County are the responsibility of the Colorado Department of Transportation. For these services call (303) 757-9514.
What do I do with my deceased animal?
A deceased animal can be taken to your local veterinarian or to your local animal shelter for disposal. We recommend that you contact your veterinarian or the animal shelter before transporting the animals so that they may answer any questions you may have.
How many dogs/cats can I legally own?
The number of dogs and/or cats allowed is specific to the area in which you reside. Please go to the Laws/Ordinances section for your area for the law/ordinance regarding number of animals allowed in its entirety.
City of Centennial:
You are allowed to have four (3) adult dogs or 4 adult cats, or a combination of both of up to four at one residence. An adult dog or cat is defined a dog or cat that is 4 months of age or older.
City of Centennial Sec. 7-7-340. Limits on number of dogs and cats.
Notwithstanding any provision otherwise set forth in this Code, no person or household in any zone district, other than as specifically permitted under the zoning regulations for the Agricultural Zone District or under an approved development plan, or any person holding a valid pet fancier's permit as set forth in Section 7-7-350 below, shall own or have custody of:
(1) More than three (3) dogs of more than four (4) months of age;
(2) More than four (4) cats of more than four (4) months of age; or
(3) More than a total of four (4) dogs and cats of more than four (4) months of age in any combination.
Douglas County:
You are allowed to have four (4) adult dogs at one residence. An adult dog is defined as a dog that is 4 months of age or older.
Resolution R-998-100 1.05 (4)
No person shall keep or harbor more than four dogs of four months of age or older on any premises, unless such dogs are kept or harbored in a kennel approved pursuant to the Douglas County Zoning Resolution.
El Paso County:
You are allowed to have four (4) adult dogs or cats, or a combination of each up to four at one residence except in properly zoned areas. An adult dog or cat is defined as a dog or cat that is 4 months of age or older. For further information on zoning, contact (719) 520-6300.
El Paso County Resolution 5.2.5. Animal Keeping
(A) Dogs and Cats
The keeping of more than 4 dogs or cats, in any combination, over 4 months of age, per ownership shall be considered a kennel and shall meet the standards for kennels
http://adm.elpasoco.com/Development%20Services/Documents/Land%20Development%20Code/ldc_chapter_5.pdf.
City of Fountain:
You are allowed to have four (4) adult dogs or cats, or a combination of each up to six (only four of which may be dogs) at one residence. An adult dog or cat is defined as a dog or cat that is 4 months of age or older. The exception would be any unit sharing a common wall in which case only a combination of two (2) each is allowed.
City of Fountain 6.02.040 (F)
The maximum number of dogs or cats over the age of four (4) months that may be owned, possessed or kept on the premises shall not exceed a combined total of six (6), of which only four (4) may be dogs, except in properly zoned and licensed kennels. In the case of multiple dwelling units, or in any unit sharing a common wall, such as an apartment building, the maximum number of dogs and cats over the age of four (4) months that may be owned possessed, or kept in each unit shall not exceed a combined total of two (2).
Town of Monument:
You are allowed to have four (4) adult dogs or cats, or a combination of each up to four at one residence unless you have a obtained a kennel license.
Town of Monument 17.04.050 Definitions
“Kennel” means any premises, building or structure in which four or more animals of more than four months of age are harbored, and which is not a small animal clinic.
City of Pueblo:
You are allowed to have four (4) dogs or four (4) cats that are weaned at one residence unless you have a obtained a kennel or cattery license, with the exception of a Feral Cat Colony Manager.
City of Pueblo Sec. 11-4-9. Kennel and cattery licenses
It is hereby declared to be a nuisance and it shall be unlawful and a municipal offense for any person to have more than four (4) dogs on a premises at any one time without having a kennel license. It is also hereby declared to be a nuisance and it shall be unlawful and a municipal offense for any person to have more than four (4) cats on a premises at any one time, except upon land zoned agricultural, or for any person to operate a shelter for cats, without having obtained a cattery license; provided however, that this paragraph shall not apply to a registered Feral Cat Colony or Feral Cat Colony Manager in compliance with the provisions of Article V of this Chapter.
Pueblo County:
You are allowed to have four (4) adult dogs at one residence unless a kennel permit is issued. An adult dog is defined as a dog that is 4 months of age or older. A kennel permit is permitted only upon issuance of a Special Use Permit by the Pueblo County Planning Commission. For further information on Special Use Permits, contact (719) 583-6100.
Pueblo County 17.04.040 Definitions
"Kennel" means any lot, parcel, tract or structure in which five or more dogs, six months old or older, are kept, raised, housed, boarded or bred.
How long do you hold animals after impounding them?
Impounded animals must be held for five (5) days after the date it is impounded unless the animal is critically ill or injured.
HSPPR Law Enforcement Services vigorously purses reuniting pets with their owners. Licensing your pet and having your pet microchipped assists us with these efforts.
What do I do if I have found or lost a pet?
When your beloved dog or cat strays, it can be a traumatic experience. It is important that you go to your local animal shelter and look through the kennels to see if your missing companion has been turned in or picked up. If you do not see your pet there, be certain to fill out a lost report. Most shelters also have a website on which you can search through impounded animals so make certain that you check regularly.
Remember that proper and accurate identification is critical in assisting with getting your pet back home. Make certain that your contact information on your pets licensing and microchip are up to date as sometimes updating such information is easily forgotten during a move.
Where are the Off-Leash parks?
We are fortunate to live in a very pet friendly region. There are many off-leash and dog friendl parks within our communities.
For a listing of parks in the City of Centennial, please visit:
http://www.centennialcolorado.com/index.aspx?nid=370
For a listing of parks in Douglas County, please visit:
www.douglas.co.us/parksandtrails/Dog_Off_Leash.html
For a listing of parks in the City of Colorado Springs, please visit:
http://www.springsgov.com/sectionindex.aspx?sectionid=17
For a listing of parks in El Paso County, please visit:
http://www.elpasoco.com/parks.asp
For a listing of parks in the City of Fountain, please visit:
http://www.ci.fountain.co.us/department/division.asp?fDD=16-122
For a listing of parks in the City of Pueblo, please visit:
http://www.pueblo.us/Facilities.aspx?page=list&search=1&CID=2