Animal Control is a mandated County enforcement agency for the purpose of protecting the community from rabies.
This is accomplished through prohibiting dogs from running at large, requiring rabies vaccinations along with the registration of each dog, per county ordinances and state statute, as well as investigating animal neglect, animal abuse, along with dangerous and vicious dogs.

When dangerous, vicious or running at large dogs are picked up they are taken to the Bureau County Animal Control Kennel where they are cared for until the owner is found. If the owner does not come forward, and the dog has no identification, after three days the dog can be adopted, or sent to a Humane Society, Animal Shelter or a Rescue Group. In the case where we cannot find a suitable taker for the dog then and only then will the dog be humanely disposed of.

Bureau County Animal Control has contracts with some municipalities within Bureau County to pick up stray or running at large dogs. Bureau County Animal Control protects the community from biting dogs with education, fines and impoundments. It is a County Ordinance as well as State Statute that every dog upon turning 4 months of age receives a rabies vaccine and be registered (rabies/registration tag) in the county in which they reside.

The Bureau County Animal Control Department works in conjunction with the Bureau County Sheriff's Department, local and area Law Enforcement Agencies, as well as animal control departments from bordering counties to effectively control animal problems, control the spread of rabies, keep accurate up-to-date files of registration on all dogs within the county, and investigate animal complaints.

• Trap, Neuter, Release Program