Pet owners in Hancock will be required to keep their animals on a leash and clean up after them under a revision to a city ordinance.
The City Council approved the changes Wednesday following a public hearing as part of an overall effort to update various ordinances.
The language of the ordinance was changed from “dogs” to “animal” signifying that pet owners are responsible for keeping any pet under their control.
Also, pets must be kept on a leash or in a carrier when not on personal property whereas the previous ordinance would allow dogs to be kept under “oral” control.
Wording was also added to require pet owners to clean up animal waste from their own property, as well as on public land, before it becomes a nuisance.
The changes were adopted by the council and will go into effect on August 16th.