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The Town of Georgiana Police Department announced Dec. 7 in a social media post officers will begin enforcing the town’s leash law.

According to the ordinance, dogs must be contained on their owner’s property or held by a leash. Owners found in violation of the ordinance may now receive a citation for the violation.

“We want to let the community know that if you have a dog, it must be on a leash due to the city ordinance,” said Georgiana Police Chief Jeremy Peagler. “The leash law states the animal must be contained on the owner’s property at tall times with a leash or a fence of some sort. The dog is not to leave the property to go onto another property.”

The notice came after the department received citizen complaints of dogs running loose in the town.

“This came about because we recently received a cluster of complaints about dogs in the neighborhoods,” Peagler said. “There may be stray dogs or maybe neighbors have a dog that is not contained in the residence.”

Peagler said many town residents expressed pleasure at the notice.

“I spoke with several people in the community who stated that they are glad, happy to see the notice on Facebook because they have had so many issues with dogs tearing up garbage and things of that nature,” Peagler said. “They’re just happy to see that we are trying to do something to make it better.”

Alabama laws also touch on the matter of pet containment, specifically Alabama Code Title 3. Animals § 3-1-5 and 3-1-6 which require state residents to confine dogs at all times. Violations of this code can result in misdemeanor charges and fines up to $50. Owners of dogs that kill or injure livestock can be held liable for damages sustained by the killing or maiming or livestock and for the full costs of the action.