Animal Control is responsible for enforcing Chapter 7 of the Sioux Falls City Ordinances. A brief overview of these ordinances include:
Barking Dogs
Animal Control issues warning letters to the owners of animals that are creating a nuisance. If the owner of the animal does not remedy the problem the person whose peace is being disturbed is required to get involved and keep a record of how often and how long the animal makes noise. This is necessary as evidence in court and the complainant must be willing to testify to its accuracy.
Stray Animals
Sioux Falls has a leash law for all animals including cats. The ordinance states that if an animal is off the owner's property it must be on a leash. If the animal is on the owner's property it must be confined in a manner not allowing it to leave the property. If it is not confined on the owner's property, the owner must be outside with it.
Licensing
All dogs and cats over the age of six months must be licensed annually. The prerequisite to purchasing a license is providing proof of current rabies shots. In Sioux Falls rabies shots, are required annually. All veterinarians in Sioux Falls have licenses available as a convenience to you.
Dead Birds
The City of Sioux Falls logs the location of any bird that is found and called in, for purposes of surveillance information. The Animal Control Division will pick up and submit dead birds for testing if they are in good condition and are of a species the state wants to test for West Nile virus (crows, blue jays, and birds of prey). Animal Control will respond to calls for birds or other animal that are injured or appear to be ill at 367-8764.
Persons who find other species of dead birds should pick up the bird for disposal and avoid contact with the bird by doing the following:
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Reach inside a grocery or other plastic bag
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Grasp the bird
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Invert the bag back over the bird and tie off the bag
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Throw the bag and bird away in the regular garbage
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Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water
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Persons wanting to report a dead or sick bird should call the Health Department. at 367-8764 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
