Dogs on the run: A glimpse at Staunton's leash laws

STAUNTON — Have you ever been walking your dog in downtown Staunton, or just enjoying a summer evening in your yard, when an unleashed dog approaches? You aren't alone.

Since the beginning of summer, at least seven residents have posted to the Staunton VA Facebook group about unleashed dog encounters. Several of the posts are about dogs attacking animals, and even people.

Most recently, Facebook user and Staunton resident Cheyenne Devine posted about her kitten getting attacked by an unleashed dog Aug. 6. The News Leader reached out to Devine for comment but didn't get a response.

"Second time one of my pets have been attacked by a dog in downtown Staunton," Devine wrote in the Aug. 6 post. "Taking my kitten to the vet with a mangled leg howling in pain. He didn't (expect) to get attacked in his front yard..."

Another Staunton resident, Chad Blain, claimed he had to pick his dog up while walking in the Dogwood Hill neighborhood because an unleashed dog charged toward them. He wrote in a post on the Staunton VA Facebook page that when telling the owner that his dog should be on a leash, he responded with "little bitch."

What are Staunton's leash laws?

Dogs in Staunton, whether they are licensed or not, are not allowed to run at large.

"'Running at large'means an animal off the real property of its owner or custodian and not under the owner’s or custodian’s immediate control," Butch Shifflett, Staunton Police public information officer, said in an email.

Areas where dogs must be leashed include: city parks, playgrounds, public schools, or any place with 10 or more people, according to Staunton City Code.

More:Man issued summons following deadly dog attack in Waynesboro

More:Murder charges filed against Waynesboro couple after 7-year-old girl killed by dog

If at any time you see an animal off leash in city limits, contact the police department at 540-332-3842. If you have witnessed an off leash animal attack another animal or person, call 911 immediately "to get medical services for the person and to alert officers so they can attempt to locate the animal  and secure it if necessary," Shifflett said.

Animals who create a nuisance in Staunton are investigated according to city code depending on the circumstances of the incident and if the victim wishes to proceed.

A "nuisance animal" is defined as the following:

• is repeatedly found at large
• damages the property of anyone other than its owner
• molests or intimidates pedestrians or passersby
• chases vehicles
• excessively makes disturbing noises, including, but not limited to, continued and repeated howling, barking, whining, or other utterances causing unreasonable annoyance, disturbance, or discomfort to neighbors or others in close proximity to the premises where the animal is kept or harbored
• causes fouling of the air by body odor and thereby creates unreasonable annoyance or discomfort to neighbors or others in close proximity to the premises where the animal is kept or harbored
• causes unsanitary conditions in enclosures or surroundings where the animal is kept or harbored
• attacks other domestic animals
• has been found, after notice to its owner and a hearing by a court of competent jurisdiction, to be a public nuisance animal by virtue of being a menace to the public health, welfare, or safety

If a dog harms an animal or person and meets the criteria of a dangerous dog or a vicious dog, according to Virginia Code, officers will obtain a summons for court. The animal may be impounded until the court hearing.

— Katelyn Waltemyer (she/her) is the government watchdog reporter for The News Leader. Have a news tip on local government? Or a good feature? You can reach Katelyn at kwaltemyer@newsleader.com. Follow her on Twitter @Kate_Waltemyer.