Ventnor Mayor Beth Holtzman, the ‘Dog Whisperer,’ with her two dogs, Bella, a Pomapoo, and Shady, a poodle.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
VENTNOR – Mayor Beth Holtzman, a self-professed dog lover who some call the “Dog Whisperer,” said Thursday, Feb. 10 that after complaints and several dog attacks, police will be aggressively enforcing the city’s Dogs and Other Animals ordinance in an effort to get residents to be more “responsible.”
“One is too many, but there were several dog-on-dog attacks last year,” Holtzman said, stating that one of her “pet peeves” since becoming mayor is that people don’t seem to want to get their dogs licensed. Dogs must be licensed and always on a leash, she said.
There have been only 140 licenses issued so far this year, but Holtzman said there has to be at least 1,000 dogs living in Ventnor. In a normal year, there are only 300-350 licenses recorded at the City Clerk’s Office.
“The importance a license is not to put a burden on the owner,” she said. “To get a license for your dog, they have to be current with their rabies vaccination. That, to me, is very important for the welfare of the residents, visitors and other canines.”
Solicitor William Reynolds said he mediated a case last year involving a dog attack in Ventnor by a dog that previously lived on a farm and was not adjusting well to living in the city with a small yard. The dog got out several times and terrorized other dogs in the neighborhood, prompting a woman to attend a commission meeting asking that the dog be impounded.
The case was settled in mediation, but the owner was facing as much as $4,000 in fines.
“It comes down to a liability lawsuit,” Reynolds said.
“We need to make sure all dogs and people and children are protected, as well as our first responders who go into someone’s home and are put at risk,” Holtzman said.
The annual fee to register a spayed/neutered dog that is vaccinated is $10 and is due on Jan. 1. For a non-spayed or non-neutered dog, the fee is $13. An additional late fee of $10 is imposed starting March 1.
People can avoid paying the late fee by registering their pet on-time.
Other facets of the ordinance will be enforced as well, Commissioner Lance Landgraf said.
“You can’t have a dog bark all day long,” he said. “There’s something going on with the dog and you have to stop the continuous barking. That can be a noise violation under the same ordinance.”
Holtzman assured second homeowners who bring their dogs to Ventnor that they do not have to obtain a license if their pet is licensed in their hometown, but they should bring with them when visiting proof of vaccination and a copy of the license.
She reminded city residents and visitors that dogs should always be on a leash, are never allowed on the boardwalk due to health reasons, and that they are allowed on the beach at the water’s edge during the off season, Oct. 1 to May 15. During summer, they are only allowed on the beach at the water’s edge between 7-9 p.m.
Fines for violations are $50, but fines for being unlicensed can be levied for every day the dog remains unlicensed following the citation, she said.
Reynolds said the ordinance allows the city to track pets, especially if there are violations. The ordinance also covers dogs running at large or who are considered vicious, which are separate offenses.
Pet owners are also required to pick up after their dog on public streets and sidewalks and carry it back to the dog owner’s property for disposal. Feces may not be put into storm drains or someone else’s trash receptacle. Fines for violations of this section of the ordinance are $1,000.
To assist pet owners, the city will hold its annual free rabies clinic 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Feb. 19 at Ventnor City Firehouse No. 1 on New Haven and Winchester avenues. Dogs will receive the vaccination, but must have a license, which can be obtained at the clinic.
“When you go to the vet to get your dog vaccinated, they charge you for an office visit. This is free,” the mayor said.
Dogs can also be registered by mail using the dog license application here: VC Dog License App.
For questions, contact City Clerk Lisa Hand at 609-823-7904 or email lhand@ventnorcity.org.
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