Ruh-Roh: TD Council to consider putting teeth into difficult doggy conduct
Who me?
The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 25, 2025 — The Dalles City Council will consider a rewrite of its dog-control laws Monday, Oct. 27, that would tighten rules for nuisance barking, require every dog in city limits to be licensed, and impose new fines of up to $1,000 for repeat offenders.
The meeting will be held at city hall, 313 Court Street starting at 5:30 p.m. Click here to livestream it.
The proposed ordinance — the first major update to the city’s dog laws since 2012 — expands enforcement authority for the city’s Animal Control Officer and gives courts power to order the removal of dangerous or chronically disruptive dogs from city limits.
Under the changes, a dog could be declared a public nuisance if it repeatedly escapes, chases cars or pedestrians, damages property, or “disturbs any person by continuous annoyance.” A video or audio recording submitted by a neighbor would count as prima facie evidence — meaning sufficient proof for the city to take action unless the owner can show otherwise.
Violations could carry fines up to $1,000 per incident, with a presumptive penalty of $265, while lesser infractions such as sanitation or leash violations could draw fines of $250 to $500. The ordinance also makes it illegal to leave a dog tethered and unattended in a public right-of-way for more than 15 minutes, and strengthens rules for quarantining dogs that bite or show signs of rabies.
The new dog-licensing program, long on the books but rarely enforced, would now require all dogs to be registered through the city or a participating veterinary office. Clinics would distribute license forms, post city-provided notices, and report local dog owners to the Animal Control Officer for follow-up. License fees — with reduced rates and waivers for certain owners — will be remitted to the Columbia Gorge Humane Society, which handles shelter services for The Dalles.
If approved, the ordinance would take effect Nov. 26, 2025, with licensing enforcement delayed until July 1, 2026, to allow for a public outreach campaign and coordination with local vets.
What It would mean for Dog Owners
• License that lovable mutt.
Starting July 1, 2026, every dog in The Dalles must have a city license. Local vets will help handle the paperwork — no more “my dog ate the registration form” excuses.
• Don’t let barking turn into a $1,000 howl.
Chronic barking, chasing cars, or property damage can now earn up to $1,000 in fines and maybe even a court-ordered “time-out” outside city limits.
• Leash and learn.
Leaving your pup tethered and unattended for more than 15 minutes in public? That’s a ticket — or worse, a trip to the kennel.
• Cameras don’t lie.
A neighbor’s video or audio of the noise counts as prima facie evidence — fancy Latin for “your dog was definitely barking.”
• Help the shelter, not the docket.
License fees go to the Columbia Gorge Humane Society, funding the folks who care for dogs without a home — or those who barked themselves into a corner.
