City of Columbia Pet Ordinance

City of Columbia - Pet/Animal Control Ordinance

City of Columbia Ordinance - Pet Waste

The City of Columbia requires pet owners living within the Columbia city limits to clean up any waste left by their pets when on public or private property not their own.  

Section 5-67 of Chapter 5 of the City of Columbia Code of Ordinances (Ord. No. 14881 § 1, 6-17-96; Ord. No. 14903, § 1, 7-15-96) states,

1. No person owning or responsible for a dog shall permit the dog to defecate on any public property or right of way or on any private property other than property owned or leased by the person owning or responsible for the dog.
2. It is a specific defense to a charge of violating this section that the person charged immediately removed the excrement and properly disposed of it in a sanitary manner.
3. It is a specific defense to a charge of violating this section that the dog involved is a certified working dog trained to assist disabled individuals and that the person charged has a disability which prevents the individual from removing the excrement and properly disposing of it in a sanitary manner.

Pet owners may be issued a fine for violating this ordinance if:

• Observed doing so by an Animal Control officer
• If someone else observes the violation taking place and is willing to testify about the matter in Municipal Court. 

Pet waste is a threat to the health of our community

• Pet waste left on the ground washes into local waterways
• Pet waste is a major source of E.coli pollution in local streams.

Always use a bag or scooper to clean up your pet’s waste and dispose of it in a nearby trash receptacle.