Whom Should I Call With Animal-Related Complaints?
Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control Officers enforce the Municipal Code of Cedar Rapids Chapter 23, and 23A. These laws are designed to:
- Protect citizens from rabies, animals from rabies & other health hazards.
- Protect animals from neglect, inhumane treatment, and abuse
- Protect public safety
- Encourage responsible pet ownership
- Assess penalties for violators
CRACC investigates complaints within the city limits only. The types of complaints we respond to include:
- animal neglect
- animal cruelty
- animals allowed to run loose by their owners
- sick/injured wildlife
- animals in peril
- animal bites
- dogs threatening or attacking humans or other animals
- illegal ownership of dangerous animals
Here is a link to the City of Cedar Rapids Animal Control laws: http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=16256&stateId=15&stateName=Iowa
Making a Complaint about an Animal in your Neighborhood
Contact us at 286-5993 with the following information:
- Your name, address, and phone number. This information is kept strictly confidential. It will not be disclosed to anyone. It is required so the Officer responding to the complaint can contact you for more information or to follow up.
- The owner's name, address, and phone number. The more information you can provide about the owner, the faster the complaint can be resolved. We do require an exact address in order to respond to a complaint. So please look for the address on the mailbox or house.
- A major intersection near the owner's address. This helps the Officer quickly locate the address.
- Information about the animal. The species, breed, sex, color, age, etc.
The specifics of your complaint - If animals are allowed to run loose, when are they usually out? If an animal is being abused, what specifically is being done to the animal?
What should I do about barking dogs?
Barking dogs are enforced under Municipal Code 62.01 (b) No person shall permit any loud and raucous noise in, or upon, any premises owned, occupied, or controlled by that person, and which are in the vicinity of any residence or hospital, which causes unreasonable distress to the occupants of said residence or hospital.
Barking dog complaints should be reported to the Cedar Rapids Police Department for follow-up.
What do I do if an animal bites me?
Any time a domestic animal bites a human, it must be quarantined observed for rabies. Wild animals that bite humans must be euthanized and tested for disease.
- Have someone confine or keep track of the animal and call the police or animal control department immediately.
- If this is not possible, report as much of the following information as possible:
- owner's name, address, and phone number
- animal's rabies tag number, year, and county
- type/breed of animal
- color
- size/approximate weight
- sex
- Immediately flush the bite wound with soap and water for five minutes. In the unlikely event of rabies exposure, this will greatly reduce the chance of infection.
- Seek medical attention immediately.
What should I do about problems with wild animals?
Due to the ever-encroaching human population, wild animals in our area are facing a serious "housing shortage." Clearing and construction on wooded vacant lots, marsh areas, fields, etc. makes it difficult for wild animals to survive in our area.
Some species, such as skunks, raccoons, opossums, deer, squirrels, ground squirrels, woodchucks (groundhogs), Canada geese, foxes and coyotes have adapted well to living among humans and use them as a valuable resource (for food, shelter, etc.).
Some people have problems with property damage caused by wild animals. Others are uncomfortable with the idea of wild animals taking up residence on their property. If the animals residing on your property are not doing any damage, you may want to allow them to stay. It will be very difficult for them to find another place to live if you evict them.
You can find additional resources for living in harmony with urban wildlife at http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/wild_neighbors