About Us

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  Bartholomew County Animal Control

 

 

 

The Bartholomew County Animal Control Office is charged with the management and enforcement of the laws and ordinances pertaining to animal control issues. We promote responsible pet ownership, aid in the housing and care for abandoned and roaming domestic pets, investigate animal neglect and bite reports, and encourage the adoption of pets in efforts to ensure the safety of citizens and pets alike in the community.

 

Bartholomew County provides a staff of three employees including a full-time Director of Animal Control and two part time staff members.

 

                                                                                                           Dean Satterfield

                                                                                                           Director of Animal Control

 

 

 

 

When to Call

Call the Bartholomew County Animal Control line if you encounter a stray animal. We encourage to report the stray animal quickly especially if it has not left your property within 24 to 48 hours. Prompt attention will help ensure the animal’s health and safety and will provide the best possible chance of it being returned to the owner or finding the animal a new home.

Do not attempt to approach or handle the animal if it appears to be aggressive or injured. Call the Animal Control line and we will assist to determine the best course of action.

 

Weekends and after hours will be serviced on an emergency case bases only

 

DO NOT PUT YOURSELF OR YOUR FAMILY IN DANGER by attempting to manage a stray animal.

 

812-372-1935

 

Violations & Fines

Violations Fines


The Bartholomew County Animal Control Office will work to find resolution for circumstances to assure best effort is given to promote the safety of citizens and the wellbeing of the animals.

The Bartholomew Animal Control Officer, Bartholomew County Health Department, or any member of the Sheriff’s Department may issue notice of violation in accordance with SECTION VI. ENFORCEMENT of County Ordinance 2021-06 to provide notice of violations and/or enforcement of local requirement pertaining to the keeping of animals in Bartholomew County.

Notices will be issued as follows.

  1. An official written warning or notice of ordinance violation will be issued.
  2. An official written notice of ordinance violation with penalty/fine will be issued.

Fines may be issued as outlined in the following chart when it is necessary to enforce local requirements in accordance with Bartholomew County Ordinance 2021-06 “THE KEEPING OF ANIMALS AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF”.

Topic Fine 
Licensing  As Provided By Indiana Law
At Large  $100.00
Confinement    $100.00
Vicious Animal $100.00
Noise  $100.00
Trespass  $100.00
Bite/Injury  $100.00
Food/Shelter $100.00
Ill Treatment  $100.00
Abandonment  $100.00
Beating  $100.00
Poision  $100.00
Death  $100.00
Wild Animal  $100.00
Rabies  $100.00
Impoundment  $100.00

 

Enacted Ordinances

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How Do I...

How do I report animal abuse or situations involving a stray domesticated animal?

 

Within Bartholomew County Limits, contact Bartholomew County Animal Control at 812-372-1935.

 

Within Columbus City Limits, contact the City Animal Care Services at 812-376-2505

OR visit https://www.columbus.in.gov/animal-care-services/ for more information.

 

Within incorporated towns (Clifford, Edinburgh, Elizabethtown, Hartsville, Hope, and Jonesville), report concerns to the Town Marshall, police officers, or local animal control officers.

 

Helpful Resources

Bartholomew County is proud to partner with the Bartholomew County Humane Society to help assure the safety of our citizens and the wellbeing of the animals in our community. See the link below to find more information on how to support animals needing care in our community.

 

BCHumaneSociety

 

 

Helpful Tips

               Helpful Cold Weather Tips for Your Outdoor Dogs and Cats

 

Housing

  1. Provide a dry draft free house that is large enough for your pet to move around but small enough to retain body heat. Locate your pets house near a wind break or faces away from the wind.
  2. Make sure the houses are full of straw or hay preferably. If not available, use blankets. Straw is better for insulation and warmth.
  3. Add door flaps to your cat or dog house.
    1. Hidrosil or Resilia plastic vinyl flap material is available at most stores.
    2. Commercial door flaps are also available for most houses.
    3. Old or new vehicle floor mats also works well.
    4. There are several YouTube videos on line to give you step by step instructions for door flaps.
    5. Plexiglas attached to a door hinge can also work.
    6. If possible move your pets house inside a barn, shed, or garage in extreme cold.
    7. You can consider booties to protect their paws from ice and rough terrain.

Food / Feeding

  1. As temperatures gets cooler dogs, cats, or any animal burns more calories to maintain its body temperature thus needs to eat more calories.
  2. It is a good idea to increase portion size or an additional meal for outdoor pets during the cold weather.
  3. When feeding pets in cold weather, a higher dietary fat content food is generally considered better than a higher protein content, as fat provides more readily available energy for their bodies to burn to stay warm in cold temperatures.

Water

  1. It is extremely important for animals to have access to water during the winter.
  2. Electric water bowls is always a good idea.
  3. Purchase an additional water bowl or bucket to alternate if one should freeze.
  4. Adding some water to your pet’s food in the winter can be a good idea, as it can help encourage them to drink more water.

Safety

  1. Reminder, vehicle antifreeze is a deadly poison to animals. Clean up spills when adding to your vehicle.
  2. Cats like to seek refuge in the warm engine area during cold weather. You should knock on the hood or beep your horn prior to starting your engine.
  3. Watch for signs of hypothermia.
  4. Avoid Pets walking on frozen ponds or lakes. The Ice may not support their body weight.
  5. Use pet friendly ice melts on your side walk or driveways.
  6. Never lock your pet in a vehicle during extreme cold. Cars can act like a refrigerator holding cold air in and putting your pet at risk.

There are many helpful cold weather pet tips on line if you choose to google them or visit the American red cross site.

Helpful Pet Recovery Tip