News Flash

Dear fellow Fort Madison residents,

As we move from winter into spring and summer our 4 legged canine family and friends tend to either become a little territorial or a little rangy depending on the breed of dog. This can lead to an issue with dogs running at large and sometimes act aggressively. This especially affects our local mail carriers. We are fortunate in Fort Madison to have hand delivered mail right to our house. However dogs at large can deter the mail from being effectively delivered if the mail carriers are being chased by dogs.

The Fort Madison Police Department works closely with the Postal Service to ensure they can effectively deliver the mail right to your door. The letter carriers have with them a horn they use to distract loose dogs away from them; they also carry cell phones with them and call the Police when they encounter loose dogs.

The Police Department will respond and attempt to locate the loose dog if found the Police will try to get the dog back to the right owners, if an owner cannot be found they are taken to Park View Veterinary Clinic to be cared for by Dr. Shannon.

Owners of dogs found running at large can be issued a citation and be fined for allowing their dogs to run at large under City Ordinance 7-5. Dogs deemed to be viscous can be banned from the City or euthanized. It is the animal owner's responsibility to care for and control their animals.

If the Postal Service determines there is a specific dog in a neighborhood that is continually threatening a mail carrier the Postal Service will alter delivery of mail in that neighborhood for the safety of the mail carrier.

No one wants to have their mail delivery altered or receive citations for their dogs running at large. So let’s have a great spring and summer enjoy your pets and keep an eye on them and continue to get your mail delivered right to your door.

Police Chief Tim Sittig