PONDERAY, Idaho — The Ponderay Police Department said that they will no longer accept dogs found at-large by the public, following the dissolution of its longstanding agreement with the Better Together Animal Alliance (BTAA) due to financial constraints.
According to a Facebook post written by Ponderay Police Chief Jimmy Cornelius, the department paid $1,000 annually to the BTAA to shelter dogs found by police officers and citizens within the city limits. In 2023, this covered 11 dogs brought in by officers, averaging roughly $90 per dog. However, BTAA also accepted additional dogs brought in by members of the public, raising the total number to 30 for the year.
The Ponderay Police Department said that their decision comes after BTAA proposed an increase in the cost of services for the 2024-2025 budget year. The proposed cost of $19,184 would have represented a 1,818.4% increase over the previous year, or about $1,744 per dog for the 11 dogs brought in by the department and $639 per dog for the 30 total dogs.
According to post, Idaho law (Code 25-2804) requires municipalities to take responsibility for dogs found at large, but municipalities can opt out of enforcement if they do not have a dog licensing law. Ponderay repealed its dog licensing ordinance in 2014, making it exempt from this statute.
Police said that the city’s decision to end its agreement with BTAA means the Ponderay Police Department will no longer serve as the primary sheltering agent for stray dogs. Instead, officers will provide free dog tags for residents, which will include the department’s contact information and a unique identification number.
Dogs found without identification will be held at the police department for several hours while officers attempt to locate the owner. If an owner cannot be identified within that time, the dog will be transferred to Companions Animal Center in Hayden. After five days, the dog will become the property of the shelter and may be put up for adoption.
Police said that residents who find stray dogs are encouraged to contact other regional shelters, including those in Priest River, Bonners Ferry and Hayden, for help. However, individuals who pick up dogs will be responsible for transporting them to the shelters.
Ponderay Police said that they are also exploring options to acquire a dog chip scanner in the future to further assist in reuniting lost pets with their owners. The department said that they advise residents to ensure their pet’s microchip information is current with the provider.
