Animal Control

The leash law is a provision in the code of the City of Wichita that prohibits certain domestic animals from roaming free. The leash law (City Code 6.04.040a) states that "Any owner of any animal, other than cats, found running at large within the corporate limits of the city shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor." Section 6 of the code also defines "running at large" as "any animal that is not confined within a fenced enclosure or shelter or under the control of a person, either by lead, cord, rope, or chain; provided, that an animal may be considered confined if it is on a leash, rope, or chain which is sufficient to keep the animal on the premises where picketed."

The law goes on to include electronic fencing as adequate confinement if "the premises of the owner are clearly and prominently marked to show the existence of the electronic fencing system and the animal is equipped with the necessary and operating components of the system required to confine the animal to the owner's property."

What that means is that all animals except cats must be confined by either a leash, rope, chain, fenced area (conventional or electronic), or inside a dwelling 24 hours a day and not allowed to roam free without the benefit of one or more of these types of restraint.

City Code 6.04 - Animals

The leash law is important in order to protect the community health and prevent the pain and suffering that is caused to both animals and humans by free roaming pets.

• Animals roaming free are more likely to come into contact with known rabies carriers such as skunks and raccoons. They are also more likely to spread parasites and other diseases to animals and humans.
  
• Each year, free roaming animals cause millions of dollars in insurance claims, property loss and damage, medical bills, and loss of productivity. Animal bite injuries, property damage, and car accidents are major problems caused by animals allowed to run at large.
  
• Animals allowed to roam contribute markedly to pet overpopulation. Millions of pets are euthanized each year at animal shelters, humane societies, and ASPCA's in efforts to just keep up with the burgeoning pet population in our nation. Free roaming, unaltered dogs breed indiscriminately and add to this already tragic situation. In addition to contributing to pet overpopulation, packs of dogs pursuing a female in season become more aggressive and will bite more readily.
  

A rabies quarantine is a period of observation, either at home or at an approved location, where the animal suspected of being involved in a bite scratch, or exposure can be watched to determine if there is any danger or the animal transmitting the rabies virus. The quarantine period for most humans is 10 days from the date the exposure occurred.

Rabies is an infection of the brain caused by a virus. The disease is usually fatal. Rabies appears to come in cycles; peak years reporting more than five times the cases of an average year. This makes it even more important that domestic animals be currently vaccinated against the disease. Wichita requires an annual rabies vaccination on all dogs and cats. Find information on cases of rabies in Kansas from the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine's Rabies Lab.

KSU Rabies Laboratory

In Kansas, rabies is most common in wild animals. Skunks have the disease most frequently, but it also occurs in bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes. Dogs, cats and domestic livestock occasionally contract rabies from exposure to wild animals.

The peak of rabies activity in Kansas occurs in the spring. Thanks to diligent rabies control programs requiring vaccinations, rabies in domestic pets is relatively rare.

Rabies in wildlife is difficult to control. Humans can be protected by having pets immunized; specifically, pets that could contract rabies from exposure to wild animals. It is required by law that dogs, cats, and ferrets be currently vaccinated against rabies. Dogs must be licensed every year.

• Vaccination and licensing of all dogs
  The City of Wichita and unincorporated areas of Sedgwick County and almost all cities in Sedgwick County require annual rabies vaccinations and licensing of all dogs by pet owners. In Wichita and Sedgwick County, all cats must be vaccinated.
• Strict enforcement of the leash law
  In Wichita and some other cities in Sedgwick County, all dogs must be confined by leash, rope, chain or within a fenced area or building sufficient to maintain the dog on the owner's property, but not necessarily confined.
• Stray dog pick-up
  All citizens should report stray animals to their local control agency. In Wichita, call Animal Control at (316) 350-3360. In other areas of Sedgwick County, call Sedgwick County Animal Care, (316) 383-7070.
• Investigation of animal bites
  All reported animal bites in Wichita are investigated by Wichita Police Department personnel to prevent human death from rabies transmitted by a rabid animal. Any specimen that is sent away for testing will be shipped on Monday – Thursday’s. All animal bites occurring in Wichita should be reported to Animal Control at (316) 350-3360.