As the city's population has grown, so has the population of dogs. Pea Ridge Police receive many calls to pick up stray dogs, Police Chief Ryan Walker said.
"There were 40 calls last month alone for animal calls," Walker said.
Walker began working on changing the city's procedure for handling stray dogs, he said beginning last November.
"I went to the mayor when I was interim chief and started a Facebook page and started putting the dogs on Facebook," Walker said, adding that representatives from Spay Arkansas and the Humane Society of the Ozarks began communication with city officials to prevent euthenasia of dogs.
"I wanted to review the dog ordinance and began reevaluating the contract, city ordinance and city policies and procedures about dogs," Walker said. "It's been a steady work in progress ever since then."
The city contracts with Pea Ridge Veterinary Clinic to house dogs picked up by police. Walker said the current contract expires July 16.
Walker praised Dr. Gary France, owner of Pea Ridge Veterinary Clinic. "He has done everything in accordinance with our contract with the city. He has gone above and beyond ... he's bent over backwards to help us in this in between time with updated procedures and added detailed billing."
"This is what I would like to do -- give a public notice for bids for an animal control facility. Bid specifications will be available at City Hall. It explains what we're going to do, what we need, what we want," Walker said.
Walker said he plans to change the contract, the ordinance and police procedures.
"We're still working on it and will continue until we make it better than it's been in the past," Walker said.
Walker said request for bids was printed in the newspaper. The request for bids specifies that the contract term will be for July 17, 2015, through July 31, 2016. It states that bid specification packets may be picked up on or before 5 p.m. June 8 and must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. June 15; bids will be opend at 4:30 p.m. June 15.
There are two veterinary clinics in the Pea Ridge area -- Pea Ridge Veterinary Clinic and Oak View Animal Clinic.
General News on 06/10/2015