Animal Control
440 Third Street • Room 400 • Columbus, IN 47201
Phone 812-372-1935 • Office 812-373-3170
Office Hours 8-5, after 5 emergency calls only
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1. Is Bartholomew County Animal Control the same agency as the City of Columbus Animal Shelter? |
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They are different agencies enforcing similar but different ordinances. Bartholomew County Animal Control services county residents. back
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I live in an incorporated town. Who do I contact for animal control/care issues? |
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Incorporated towns such as Clifford, Edinburgh, Elizabethtown, Hartsville, and Jonesville, have Town Marshalls or use their police officers. The Town Marshalls or police officers should be contacted first with any animal related issues. The incorporated town of Hope and the City of Columbus have their own Animal Control officers.
Bartholomew County Animal Control will always be available and happy to assist these agencies but are not responsible for the day to day operations of animal control/care for their incorporated towns. back
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3. Where are the animals taken that are picked up in the county? |
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The Bartholomew County Commissioners have contracted with the Bartholomew County Humane Society to receive the animals picked up in the county limits. back
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4. Who do you and your officers report to? |
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We report to the County Commissioners. back
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5. You do not work for the Bartholomew County Humane Society? |
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No, but we do work closely with them in our day to day operations. We are 2 separate agencies. back
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6. I live in the country, do I have to chain my dog up? |
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No, but you must keep your animal (i.e. dog, cat, livestock...) on your property and not let it enter your neighbor’s property or chase people on the road. See Sec. 3-8 Restraint in the county ordinances. back
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7. If a stray animal shows up at my house, what should I do? |
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You can call Bartholomew County Animal Control to come and pick up the animal. We strongly suggest that you call us if the animal has not headed home within 24/48
hours. This will help to ensure that the animal does not procreate and provide us with more animals that will not have homes while giving it a chance to go home.
After 3 weeks, if you have not called to have the animal picked up, we would consider the animal to be your responsibility. This means you and your family are responsible for the animal’s care and well being. As your first responsibility for your new pet, we urge you to have them spayed or neutered. This will help with their health in the future and stop them from having litters of animals that you will have to find homes for.
NEVER PUT YOU OR YOUR FAMILY IN DANGER!
If the animal is aggressive or appears to be injured, do not try and look for identification on the animal’s collar! Call Bartholomew County Animal Control and we will assess the situation and decide on the best course of action to be taken. back
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8. Do I have to have my dog or cat vaccinated against Rabies? |
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Yes!
IC35-46-3-1 harboring a non-immunized dog-
Sec. 1. A person who knowingly or intentionally harbors a dog that is over the age of six (6) months and not immunized against rabies commits harboring a non-immunized dog, a Class C infraction. However, the offense is a Class B misdemeanor if the dog causes bodily injury by biting a person. back
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9. What are your hours of operation? |
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We work Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. We do have an officer that is on call for after hours and weekend calls. The officer will only run on emergencies.
- Picking up strays is not considered an emergency and will be put on the list for the next business day.
- A barking dog is not considered an emergency. Please call Animal Control during normal business hours for assistance for this problem. back
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