The Coralville Police Department Animal Control and the Parks and Recreation Department would like to remind pet owners about local animal laws; these help keep our city parks, trails, and neighborhoods safe and enjoyable for everyone—including our four-legged friends.

Leash Laws
Leashes help prevent pets from getting lost or from chasing other animals or people. Keep these in mind:

• Pets must on a leash at all times, unless within the owner's enclosed property or tethered. 
• When you and your pet are off your property, never leave your pet unleashed, tied, or unattended. 
• If your pet is with you—but unleashed—while you are walking, jogging, cycling, visiting parks, or anywhere on public property, it is in violation of the law. 
• A leash should be sufficient to hold the animal in check, and should be no longer than 20 feet. 
• If you use a retractable leash, it is helpful to keep your pet reined in beside you and the retractor locked if other people or animals are near. 
• When using Coralville's trails, please keep leashes retracted so that the animal cannot cross the center line. 

Watch Your Pets
Pet owners are responsible for keeping their pets reined in at all times. Animals can react suddenly to loud noises, other animals, people, and the environment; make sure you are capable of keeping your pet controlled. If you are walking more than one animal, make sure you can control all your leashed pets.

Pick up After Your Pets
Always pick up after your pets. Not only is it the right thing to do, it helps prevent the spread of bacteria and parasites that can cause illness or linger in the soil. Throw pet waste bags in the trash, or take them with you if there is not a public trash can.

Vaccinate & License Your Pets
All cats and dogs four months and older must be vaccinated against rabies. If your dog or cat is found loose, or is involved in an incident requiring Animal Control, you must show proof of the current rabies vaccination and your City pet license. Failure to do so may result in a City citation or impoundment of the animal.

Cats and dogs older than four months must get an annual pet license within 30 days of the bringing the animal into the city. Dogs and cats younger than four months that are no longer with their dam, but are too young to be immunized, should have a temporary city ID tag. 

Animal Bites
If your pet bites or attacks a person in Coralville, it must be reported to Coralville Animal Control (319.248.1800) or Johnson County Public Health (319.356.6038). Animal Control will investigate bite reports; in some cases pet owners will be required to take corrective action to prevent future incidents. Any animal that bites or causes a skin abrasion is placed in isolation and quarantine for a minimum of ten days. 

Learn More
For more information, visit www.coralville.org/animalcontrol or call Coralville Animal Control at 319.248.1800.