Residents moving into post housing need to know a few rules and regulations before they can bring a furry Family member to live with them.
The Army, Fort Leonard Wood and Fort Leonard Wood Homes each have policies regarding pet ownership on Army installations and in privatized housing.
The regulations stipulate the types of animals, number of animals and restrictions on breeds/species that can reside in housing.
"Fort Leonard Wood Homes is very pleased to be a pet-friendly community," said Shawna Swanson, Fort Leonard Wood Homes community manager.
"We welcome dogs, cats, birds and fish in our homes. A maximum of two walking pets (cats, dogs) are allowed per home, as well as caged or otherwise confined animals, such as birds, fish, turtles, rodents, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs and non-poisonous reptiles," Swanson said.
Fort Leonard Wood Policy 40-4 states a maximum of two dogs or cats are allowed to reside in/at each authorized housing unit.
Caged or otherwise confined animals, such as birds, fish, turtles, rodents, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs and non-poisonous reptiles may be kept in housing units without regard to numerical limits, so long as they are not kept for commercial purposes or present a public nuisance.
However, there are a number of dog breeds that are not allowed in housing areas.
"Residents may not board in privatized housing any dog of a breed, including mixed breed, that is deemed aggressive or potentially aggressive, unless the dog is a certified military working dog that is being boarded by its handler/trainer," said Rose Gabel, chief of Housing Division, Directorate of Public Works.
Specific dog breeds include Pit Bull (American Staffordshire bull terriers or English Staffordshire bull terriers), Akita, Chow, Doberman, Rottweiler and wolf hybrids.
"Prohibition also extends to other dog breeds that demonstrate a propensity for dominant or aggressive behavior as indicated by unprovoked barking, growling, snarling at people approaching the animal, aggressively running along fence lines when people are present, biting or scratching people or escaping confinement or restriction to chase people," Gabel added.
A single substantiated case of aggression by any animal resulting in an animal bite, scratch or other injury to an individual may be grounds for removal of that animal from the installation, according to policy.
The privilege of maintaining privately owned animals on this installation depends on the animal's ability to live harmoniously within the military community, states the Fort Leonard Wood policy.
For any incident involving an animal on post, be it a stray animal, reporting suspected abuse or an aggressive dog, call the military police station at 573.596.0131, ext. 66141, said Don Rose, deputy director, Directorate of Emergency Services. A patrol will respond and assess the situation.
Cats and dogs living on post are required to be properly vaccinated, licensed and micro-chipped, and residents must register these pets with both Fort Leonard Wood Homes management office as well as the post Veterinary Services within 10 days of acquisition or within 10 days of taking occupancy in the community, according to Swanson.
"As part of the registration, we require a current picture of the pet and a copy of the DD 2343 issued by Fort Leonard Wood Veterinary Services, which we keep on file," she added. "Residents must also ensure their dogs and cats wear an identification tag with the owner's name and phone number."
Caged, or otherwise confined, small animals are exempt from registration, according to Capt. Crystal Doyle, veterinarian with Fort Leonard Wood Veterinarian Services.
Off-post residents and visitors wanting to bring their pets on post, including to the Fort Leonard Wood Paw Park, also need to have their pets registered with the Fort Leonard Wood Veterinarian Services and have proof of immunizations.
The Paw Park, located on Constitution Avenue across from Gammon Field, has its own rules for use, including cleaning up after your pets, not allowing dog or human food and removing dogs exhibiting aggressive behavior from the park. Contact the Outdoor Adventure Center at 573.596.0131, ext. 64223 for more information about the Paw Park.
For more information on veterinarian services, contact the Fort Leonard Wood Veterinarian Services clinic at 573.596.0131, ext. 60523. For additional information on the Fort Leonard Wood Homes policy, contact Swanson at 573.329.0122.
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