Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
LEESBURG — An animal complaint regarding a dog was discussed at the Leesburg Town Council meeting Monday.
Following the 2026 election of officers, in which a motion was approved declaring Christina Archer will serve as council president, Mitch Rader as vice president and Tom Moore as councilman, the discussion turned to the dog complaint.
Leesburg Street Commissioner Craig Charlton said he was contacted on Dec. 22, 2025, about a dog at 102 E. Prairie St. The complainant provided video of a recent encounter with what was described as a vicious dog. The complainant further said this dog has also cornered them in the past.
Charlton said the town has previously received two other complaints about the same dog.
The owner was issued an ordinance violation warning and a $25 fine in the past for previous incidents. A motion was approved Monday night to proceed with a $100 fine for this most recent offense.
“If the owners of the dog don’t comply, then it ends up the dog is removed from the property,” Moore said. “It cannot be out running around town … period. If the owner of the animal chooses to let them run, then they have to pay the fine. Once we get to the end of our fine process, if the dog is still running loose, then further action will have to take place.”
Ordinance 91.15 and 91.16 in the “dog” section of the Leesburg Town Ordinance are as follows:
Prohibited conduct; owner responsible.
It shall be unlawful for any owner to fail to exercise proper care and control of his or her dog or dogs so as to prevent the following actions by it or them:
(A) Molesting of passersby;
(B) Chasing of passing vehicles;
(C) Attacking other domestic animals;
(D) Trespassing upon private property or school property;
(E) Damaging private or public property;
(F) Habitual barking or loud and continued noise; or
(G) Unnecessary foul or noxious odors which offend people in the neighborhood.
Running at large prohibited
(A) The owner or keeper of any dogs within the limits of the town is hereby required to restrain them from running at large, upon any street, alley, sidewalk, public place or public grounds, and personal property, within the limits of said town.
(B) It shall be unlawful for any person being the owner or keeper of any dog to permit such dog or dogs to trespass upon the property of any person within the limits of the town to the annoyance of such person.
(C) Any vicious or ferocious animal is not be kept in the community, regardless of whether or not it is on a chain.
(D) The street commissioner or any other police officer is hereby instructed to strictly enforce each and all of the provisions of this section. He, she or they are empowered and authorized to arrest any and all persons found violating any of the provisions of this section. Said street commissioner and other police officers of said town are hereby authorized to take into custody, and to dispose of, any dog running at large or in violation of this section, in any manner.
In other news:
• Leesburg resident Sue Charlton requested permission from council to enter a float from the town of Leesburg in the Kosciusko County Freedom Fest Parade June 6. Council approved the request.
• Council approved a quote from Buckeye Power for a new block heater for the generator at the main sewer station in the amount of $685.20.
• Trash pickup is weekly on Thursdays. Waste Management now offers a portal to Leesburg residents for checking holiday schedules and reporting missed pickups or broken containers at https://www.wm.com/us/en/cpn/muni
• Leesburg Town Council meetings can be viewed online at https://www.youtube.com/@LeesburgIndiana46538
• Information about town ordinances can be found online at https://www.leesburgindiana.com/
The next regular meeting will be 6:30 p.m. Feb. 9.
