Fort Hall approves animal ordinance after toddler is attacked by dogs

The following is a news release from Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.

FORT HALL –The Fort Hall Business Council approved the Tribes’ Animal Control Ordinance on Tuesday, March 28, 2017. The Ordinance was initially approved by the Fort Hall Business Council in September of 2016 but was waiting on the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for approval. Tribes have been developing this Ordinance since 2013. In 2014 and 2015, Public Meetings and Public Hearings were held throughout the community as they provided both written and verbal concerns about animal control on the Reservation.

Tribal police are still investigating the recent dog attack on a 3-year-old minor child. In accordance with the existing Tribal Law & Order Code, the owner of the dogs that attacked the child, met with the Fort Hall Police on March 29th and claimed ownership of four (4) of the dogs. The owner is being charged with ‘Maintaining a Public Nuisance’ which states, “It shall be unlawful for any person to act in such a manner, or to permit his property to fall into such a condition, as to injury or endanger the safety, health or property of his neighbors.’ According to Tribal law, ‘Any person found guilty of this offense shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days or a fine not to exceed $200.00 or both.’ According to Chief of Police, Pat Teton, “The Tribal Fish & Game found a majority of the dogs involved in the attack, who were euthanized, and the remains were taken to Boise to be tested for Rabies.” Test results will not be available at this time due because of the active investigation of the attack.

In an official resolution released earlier this week, dated Monday, March 27, 2017, states, “the Tribal Fish & Game Department and Tribal Police Department are hereby directed to address the issue of stray dogs on the Fort Hall Reservation and to notify the public in the interest of public safety to maintain and restrain their dogs for the next two weeks.” According to Tribal Fish & Game Captain, Tom Wadsworth, “Our staff is working diligently to remove large dog packs throughout the reservation in accordance to the resolution” Wadsworth also states, “there has been an increase of phone calls reporting stray dogs in the community. Over the years, there have been concerns of animals being dropped off on the reservation and this will no longer be tolerated under the new Animal Ordinance.” Further details on the Animal Ordinance will be provided once the BIA officially approves.