Dog Ordinance Draws Strong Opinions as Council Delays decision to December

New dog ordinance will require all dogs in The Dalles City limits to be licensed and leashed when in public.

The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 28, 2025 — The Dalles City Council took comments on a sweeping update to its dog control ordinance, tightening licensing, leash and ownership limits after months of debate and community feedback.

Council took the discussion under advisement and plans to revisit the subject with a possible vote in December.

City Manager Matthew Klebes said the ordinance is designed to modernize the city’s long-dormant dog licensing program and improve coordination with veterinarians and the Columbia Gorge Humane Society. The goal, he said, is to return lost pets to their owners more efficiently while promoting public safety and responsible ownership.

“This licensing requirement already exists,” Klebes told the council. “What this ordinance does is give us the framework to actually make it work.”

Ordinance gets mixed reviews

Public reception to the new ordinance was mixed, with five citizens speaking in favor and four against during the Oct. 27 meeting. Supporters cited safety and humane treatment, while opponents raised privacy and enforcement concerns.

“I totally support what you’re trying to accomplish. I was the beneficiary of not having these ordinances years ago, and I see the value now,” said former TD Mayor Jim Wilcox.

A representative from the Columbia Gorge Humane Society Breanna Wimber also supported the licensing aspect of the law, making it easier to return lost dogs to their owners.

Breanna Wimber

“When somebody’s dog is running down the street and they have a tag on, it’s easier for our ordinance officer to identify that dog and reunite it quickly and efficiently with its owners. she said. “We work extremely close with your animal control officer in figuring out where the dog came from and whose it is. Again, the licensing we hope will help that.”

Supporters emphasized public safety and accountability, saying the ordinance would help reduce stray dogs, reunite pets with owners faster and provide funding for the Humane Society’s spay and neuter programs. They also pointed to the city’s “education-first” enforcement approach as a balanced way to encourage compliance rather than punishment.

Opponents, however, raised privacy and enforcement concerns.

“We’re very concerned about the privacy implications of sending client lists to the city,” said one local veterinarian. “While we support responsible pet ownership, this requirement goes too far.”

Resident, Breaana Wimber was opposed to aspects of the leash requirement. “The leash law seems too strict. I’d like it to allow for well-trained dogs under voice control, like Hood River’s ordinance.”

Those who spoke in opposition argued the new rules could infringe on privacy by requiring veterinarians to share client data and place undue administrative burdens on small clinics. Others said the strict leash law and four-dog household limit punished responsible owners. Several called for voice-control exemptions and flexibility for larger properties.

What’s in the proposed law

Key provisions include a requirement that all adult dogs within city limits be licensed, a leash law requiring dogs off their owner’s property to be on a handheld leash under control, and a cap of four adult dogs per single-family home, or two in multifamily dwellings. Current owners with more than four dogs may keep them but cannot replace animals after Jan. 31, 2026. Local veterinarians must submit rabies vaccination certificates quarterly.