The Shoofly Magazine
  • Home
    • Amtrak Gulf Coast: Latest News
    • 15 Minutes Photo Galleries
    • Arts Alive!
    • Bay Reads
    • Beach to Bayou
    • Big Buzz Blog
    • Coast Cuisine
    • The Eyes Have It
    • Good Neighbor
    • Living Large
    • Nature Notes
    • Noteworthy Women
    • On the Shoofly
    • Partner Spotlight
    • Second Saturday
    • Shared History
    • Sonny's Fishing Report
    • Talk of the Town
    • Town Green
    • Upcoming Events
  • Calendar
    • Upcoming Events
    • Calendar Users Guide
    • Calendar FAQs
  • Communities
    • Bay St. Louis Lifestyle
    • Diamondhead Lifestyle
    • Pass Christian Lifestyle
    • Waveland Lifestyle
  • Readers' Circle
    • Partners
  • Local Living
    • Upcoming Events
    • EAT
    • SHOP
    • PLAY >
      • Community Calendar
    • STAY >
      • Camping & RV Parks
    • TOURS >
      • Instagram Tours >
        • Beach Blvd. Instagram Ops
        • Main Street Instagram Ops
        • Second Street Instagram Ops
        • Depot District Instagram Stars
        • Black History Instagram Tour - Part 1
    • PETS
    • WEDDINGS
    • SERVICES >
      • Automotive
      • Construction
      • Entertainment
      • Financial Services
      • Food & Beverage
      • Health
      • Home & Garden
      • Legal Services
      • Marine & Boating
      • Marketing
      • Media
      • Office
      • Personal Care
      • Pets
      • Real Estate
      • Recreation
      • Transportation
      • Travel/Hospitality
      • Utilities
    • ORGANIZATIONS >
      • Churches
      • Government
      • Education >
        • Art Teachers
      • Hurricane Prep Guide
      • Wildlife Rescue in South Mississippi

Be a Watchdog for Canine Companions

8/6/2020

 
On the Shoofly - August 2020
A new state law puts some teeth in the penalties for animal abuse and might help prevent loss of life.  Read the laws and find out what you can do to help.  
 
- story by Dena Temple

Picture
​"D" has a soft heart. So when the big, friendly stray came into her life – looking dirty, a little sick and in need of some TLC – she and her husband opened their hearts and home, fostering the dog back to good health at their own expense. Eventually, they ended up adopting the dog. With excellent care over the months, it had blossomed into a splendid companion.
 
One day, when her husband and the dog were out for a ride, a car followed them home.  It was the dog’s previous owner, who offered proof that the dog had been hers.  The couple were understandably concerned because of the dog’s condition when they found it, so they visited the woman’s house to confirm they were returning the dog to a healthy environment. All seemed well.  After tearful good-byes, the couple promised to return for visits and did a few times.
On the Shoofly
is sponsored by
Picture
California Drawstrings, 126 Main Street

Picture

Picture
Recently, the couple learned that the dog had died of neglect, having been left outside in the scorching sun and heat with no water. They were heartbroken.
​
Picture
Animals need human contact for proper intellectual and emotional development.
​ 
Just recently I’ve come to know a neighborhood dog. “Trouble” – that’s what I call her – is a puppy who’s been left outside, free to roam the neighborhood and run in the street. I returned her to her house more than once; the last time I found an overturned water dish and no food. Animal Control has issued citations, but sadly, the future does not look bright for Trouble.

Picture
 
People have very different ideas of how pets, particularly dogs, should be cared for. Some are not a “pet” of the family at all and are kept outside in a pen, ignored but for the occasional hunting trip. Some get little attention from their owners and are poorly socialized.
 
Dogs are “pack” animals by nature and require social interaction, particularly with humans, to be well-adjusted. Failure to provide affection and intellectual stimulation for a dog can cause problems with aggression, barking and fear responses. This miserable existence is comparable to life in an animal shelter, which most would agree is pretty bleak.
 
In the past, Mississippi has taken a weak stance on animal cruelty, treating it as a misdemeanor offense with negligible fines.

However, just recently Governor Tate Reeves signed into law Senate Bill No. 2658, which makes simple or aggravated cruelty or neglect punishable by hefty fines, prison time and even psychological counseling.
 ​
Picture
 
​Offenders can be prohibited from owning pets for at least five years. Under the amended law, each animal affected now counts as a separate offense for owners of more than one dog.

In particular, aggravated cruelty has been elevated to a felony offense, and persons convicted of aggravated cruelty may be added to an FBI watch list – which will appear on employment background searches.

Bay St. Louis and Waveland each have additional ordinances (see them at the end of this article).  

Most pet owners are kind, compassionate people who are devoted to the care of their pets. Their dogs and cats are part of the family, and these pets enjoy a lifetime of affection and comfort. But because not everyone shares the same definition of “pet,” we need to be alert for problems.

​A pet kept outdoors should have shelter from the sun and heat, food and water, and should be contained in a fenced yard to keep it safe from injury by cars, predators, or other dogs.

 
If you see a pet being kept in a way you feel is unhealthy or otherwise unsatisfactory, please report what you see to your local animal control officer and get it on record.

Potential cases of animal neglect or cruelty can be reported in the county, Waveland and Bay St. Louis by contacting Central Dispatch at (228) 255-9191, and ask to have an Animal Control officer visit the residence. ​
​
Animals cannot let us know when they are being abused or neglected, so I encourage you to become a monitor in your own neighborhood. Be aware of your neighbor’s pets.

Look for clues of neglect such as injuries, skin disease, etc. If you see a dog that is not receiving the basic essentials of care, reach out to Animal Control. An animal’s life may depend upon it.
​
Picture
​ 
Here is a summary of the basic laws concerning dog ownership and care in our area.
 
Bay St. Louis
Complete municipal ordinances concerning the care of pets in Bay St. Louis can be found here.
 
  • Dogs cannot run loose on public property and must be leashed at all times, on a leash not exceeding eight feet in length. Dogs at large will be impounded.
  • Dogs cannot be allowed to annoy people, or become a nuisance by destroying property, barking, defecating, or by knocking over garbage containers.
  • No person can torture, torment, unjustifiably injure, deprive of food, drink or shelter, or beat or mutilate any dog, or permit others to do so.
  • All dogs must be vaccinated against rabies and wear a tag on its collar attesting to the vaccination. Any dog caught running at large without a vaccination tag will be presumed to be unvaccinated and will be held for a period of five days. The owner pays all expenses of the capture and impoundment, including having the dog vaccinated if proof of vaccination cannot be shown.
  • Dogs cannot be fastened, chained, tethered or tied to a stationary object while such dog is on the dog owner's property or residence. Dogs must be kept in a fenced yard of at least 100 square feet, or in a pen of at least 100 square feet. If a dog is kept indoors, provisions must be made for the dog to receive outside exercise. 

Picture

Waveland
Waveland’s animal control officers not only enforce but also educate the public on the law and try to seek voluntary resolution when possible. Complete municipal ordinances concerning the care of pets in Waveland can be found here.

  • All dogs must be vaccinated for rabies and bear a valid tag.
  • Dogs are not permitted to run at large within the city limits. “At large” means not controlled by its owner. Dogs at large may be impounded, and owners must show proof of rabies vaccination and pay all costs to recover the dog.
  • No owner shall fail to care for and control his animals. Dog owners must provide proper shelter and protection from the weather. Pens must be large enough to allow freedom of movement and must be cleaned and disinfected daily. Food and water dishes must be kept clean. Owners must not allow their properties to become so soiled that the property itself is a nuisance (noxious odor) or health concern.
  • Pet owners must clean up after their dogs on all public property or property belonging to others.
  • Dogs cannot be allowed to become a public nuisance (causing property damage, barking or howling, soiling on property other than its owner’s).
  • Pet owners may be charged with animal cruelty if any of the following conditions exist:
    • Failing to provide adequate sanitary shelter and conditions, clean water, sufficient food, exercise, and necessary medical care.
    • Abandoning a pet without making provisions for its adequate care. (Lost pets are not considered abandoned.)
    • Willfully or negligently allowing a pet, including pets that are aged, diseased, injured or disabled, to suffer unnecessary neglect, torture, or pain.
    • Striking an animal with a motor vehicle and not reporting the accident to an animal control officer.
    • Tethering a dog to a stationary object that severely limits the dog’s range of movement. Tethers must allow at least 100 square feet of movement, be arranged to avoid entanglement, and weigh less than 10% of the dog’s body weight. Dogs cannot be left tethered to an unoccupied building or property.
    •  Leaving a pet in a vehicle when doing so might harm the animal. If the owner cannot be found, law enforcement officers may use any available method to remove a pet in distress from a vehicle, and the pet will be impounded.
    • Allowing a pet to exist unattended, living in its own waste without cleaning or sanitizing the animal living area 

Picture

Comments are closed.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    15 Minutes
    Across The Bridge
    Antiques
    Architecture
    Art
    Arts Alive
    At Home In The Bay
    Bay Bride
    Bay Business
    Bay Reads
    Beach To Bayou
    Beach-to-bayou
    Beautiful Things
    Benefit
    Big Buzz
    Boats
    Body+Mind+Spirit
    Books
    BSL Council Updates
    BSL P&Z
    Business
    Business Buzz
    Casting My Net
    Civics
    Coast Cuisine
    Coast Lines Column
    Day Tripping
    Design
    DIY
    Editors Notes
    Education
    Environment
    Events
    Fashion
    Food
    Friends Of The Animal Shelter
    Good Neighbor
    Grape Minds
    Growing Up Downtown
    Harbor Highlights
    Health
    History
    Honor Roll
    House And Garden
    Legends And Legacies
    Local Focal
    Lodging
    Mardi Gras
    Mind+Body+Spirit
    Mother Of Pearl
    Murphy's Musical Notes
    Music
    Nature
    Nature Notes
    New Orleans
    News
    Noteworthy Women
    Old Town Merchants
    On The Shoofly
    Parenting
    Partner Spotlight
    Pass Christian
    Public Safety
    Puppy-dog-tales
    Rheta-grimsley-johnson
    Science
    Second Saturday
    Shared History
    Shared-history
    Shelter-stars
    Shoofly
    Shore Thing Fishing Report
    Sponsor Spotlight
    Station-house-bsl
    Talk Of The Town
    The Eyes Have It
    Tourism
    Town Green
    Town-green
    Travel
    Tying-the-knot
    Video
    Vintage-vignette
    Vintage-vignette
    Waveland
    Weddings
    Wellness
    Window-shopping
    Wines-and-dining

    Archives

    December 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    August 2014
    November 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011

Shoofly Magazine Partners

​Our Shoofly Partners are local businesses and organizations who share our mission to enrich community life in Bay St. Louis, Waveland, Diamondhead and Pass Christian. These are limited in number to maximize visibility. Email us now to become a Shoofly Partner!
Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum

Bay Town Inn

Bay-tique Boutique

The Bay Bum

The Shops of Century Hall

Chiniche Engineering

Creole Creamery

The Cultured Oak

The French Potager

Hancock County Historical Society

HL Raymond Properties

Kenny Dental

Lagarde's Fine Wine & Spirits

The Loft
The Mane Salon

Magnolia Antiques

Ms. Mary's Old Town Snoballs

Mystic Ghost Tours

PJ's Coffee

Salty Soul Outfitters

Theatre in the Pass

VSPA at Hancock Women's Center

The Wedding Collection ​

John & Ning Wiebmer


The Shoofly Magazine is published by MAC Media, LLC. Unless otherwise attributed, all written content and photography copyright MAC Media, LLC

Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
  • Home
    • Amtrak Gulf Coast: Latest News
    • 15 Minutes Photo Galleries
    • Arts Alive!
    • Bay Reads
    • Beach to Bayou
    • Big Buzz Blog
    • Coast Cuisine
    • The Eyes Have It
    • Good Neighbor
    • Living Large
    • Nature Notes
    • Noteworthy Women
    • On the Shoofly
    • Partner Spotlight
    • Second Saturday
    • Shared History
    • Sonny's Fishing Report
    • Talk of the Town
    • Town Green
    • Upcoming Events
  • Calendar
    • Upcoming Events
    • Calendar Users Guide
    • Calendar FAQs
  • Communities
    • Bay St. Louis Lifestyle
    • Diamondhead Lifestyle
    • Pass Christian Lifestyle
    • Waveland Lifestyle
  • Readers' Circle
    • Partners
  • Local Living
    • Upcoming Events
    • EAT
    • SHOP
    • PLAY >
      • Community Calendar
    • STAY >
      • Camping & RV Parks
    • TOURS >
      • Instagram Tours >
        • Beach Blvd. Instagram Ops
        • Main Street Instagram Ops
        • Second Street Instagram Ops
        • Depot District Instagram Stars
        • Black History Instagram Tour - Part 1
    • PETS
    • WEDDINGS
    • SERVICES >
      • Automotive
      • Construction
      • Entertainment
      • Financial Services
      • Food & Beverage
      • Health
      • Home & Garden
      • Legal Services
      • Marine & Boating
      • Marketing
      • Media
      • Office
      • Personal Care
      • Pets
      • Real Estate
      • Recreation
      • Transportation
      • Travel/Hospitality
      • Utilities
    • ORGANIZATIONS >
      • Churches
      • Government
      • Education >
        • Art Teachers
      • Hurricane Prep Guide
      • Wildlife Rescue in South Mississippi