Saline County Concerns on New Ordinance 2025

Yesterday the Saline County internet was in a uproar over a proposed Animal Control ordinance pertaining to leash laws for dogs. While Saline County already has a current animal control ordinance in place, SALINE COUNTY – Ordinance No. 2025 was to expand these regulations by a wide margin. Many and myself have argued over reach.

SALINE COUNTY – Ordinance No. 2025 was set to be presented to the Saline County Quorum Court yesterday evening, aiming to establish new regulations regarding the treatment of dogs on private property. However, many residents are expressing concerns about the ordinance’s impact on law enforcement and rural communities.

The proposed ordinance seeks to restrict how dogs are chained, kenneled, and transported, raising questions about enforcement and practicality. Critics argue that the new rules could divert law enforcement resources away from crime prevention, forcing officers to focus on stray animal control instead.

Key provisions of the ordinance include:

1.4.c. No dogs on trolley lines.

1.4.d. No dogs chained or tethered.

1.4.e. No dog fighting.

1.4.f. No at-large dogs.

1.4.g. Dogs must be on a leash outdoors.

1.4.h. No dogs in truck beds.

While the ordinance aims to improve animal welfare, rural residents—especially those living outside city limits—will see it places an unnecessary burden on them. I will argue that stray dogs are less of an issue in rural areas compared to urban settings and that local law enforcement should prioritize crime over animal control.

I’d rather have law enforcement solving criminal issues than spending their time chasing stray dogs.This ordinance would bog them down and make them practically useless in our neighborhoods.

Hunters and dog trainers are also pushing back, citing transportation concerns. Having to transport their dogs constantly as well as in the field, training, will be made difficult if a leash is required outside of their property.  This is just another unnecessary rule that’s nearly impossible to enforce.

Additionally, I’d like to point out that the ordinance solely targets dogs, overlooking other animal-related issues. In Sardis, we have more stray cats than we can count, but we’re focusing only on dogs?

A big issue is that it attempts to restrict the type of leashes and chains used ON YOUR PROPERTY. While I will speak against animal cruelty, how you restrain your dog is your business if your dog is too strong for a fence or you can’t afford one. As long as the dog is not being tortured or harmed and has access to food and water that’s no one else’s business. And this ordinance claims you can’t use a run-line or chains. Also it would mean law enforcement would have to come onto your property to enforce this ordinance.

The ordinance was introduced by newly elected Justice of the Peace Stephanie Johnson, who campaigned on conservative values but is now instead attempting to expand local government bureaucracy.

I personally think this is a waste of time and a poorly written ordinance at best.

As the debate continued online, Saline County residents waited to see if the quorum court will move forward with the ordinance or take public concerns into consideration.

From a source who witnessed the quorum court last night, I was informed that it was short-lived, as Ms. Johnson pulled her ordinance back and no further discussion was made.

— screenshots from Stephanie Johnson JP website

It’s sad to see a new candidate that ran on strong conservative values go back on their promises. But the fact that she pulled the ordinance after major public backlash shows her ability to listen to her constituents and the power of the people of Saline County to come together behind a issue and resolve it in the community.  Speak up if it doesn’t seem right and call out those doing wrong.

Kevan Bradshaw