Animal Control

James E. Day Chief of Police James R. Bennett Captain F. Todd Foreman Lieutenant Cynthia Hedrick Administrative Assistant Kelly Mitchell Records Clerk Phone Number: (540) 587-6011 Fax Number: (540) 586-7198

Animal Control - Dog Licenses Expire 12/31/06

If you are looking for a pet, please try the animal shelter first! The City of Bedford has merged its shelter operations with the Bedford County Animal Shelter located 1307 Falling Creek Road. The telephone number for the shelter is: 540-586-7690. Animal control complaints are still handled by the City's animal control officer and may be made by calling the Bedford Communications Center at 540-586-7827 or by dialing 911.

• Make sure your dog or cat wears a collar, if required, with rabies tag, city license or other identification tag on them at all times. Animal licenses may be purchased from the City Treasurer located at 215 E. Main Street. For information regarding licenses call: 540-587-6057.
• Do not allow your pets to run at large.
• When walking your pets, please clean up after them.
• Be respectful of your neighbors and keep your pet quiet. Remember, there are those who may be sick or work nights that will not appreciate your pet barking all day or night.
• Do not leave your pets in motor vehicles on hot days.
• If you lose a pet, check with the animal shelter as soon as possible.
• Make sure your animal has shade, food and water in the summer and protection from the elements in the winter.
• Please do not handle or approach strays or wild animals. In the past two years, two cats and a fox have tested plosive for rabies in the City. Please report any odd or aggressive behaving animal to animal control or the police.

• The best way to avoid hitting a deer is to slow down and be prepared to stop in areas where deer are plentiful. Leave early for work and scan the sides of the road while traveling. Stay within the speed limit and off the cell phone. Expect the unexpected.
• There are a number of commercial deer repellents available for those having problems with deer around their homes. Some homemade repellents that have been somewhat successful are:
  • 4 to 6 raw eggs mixed with one gallons of water and sprayed directly on plants.
  • One bar of deodorant or perfume soap tied in trees around the perimeter of orchards or gardens.
  • Human hair placed in mesh bags suspended from plants 2 to 3 feet apart. The bags should be replaced several times during the growing season.
• Another option is to landscape using plants that deer dislike. An extensive list of these plants and shrubs can be found by searching the web for "deer resistant plants". Information regarding deer and their habitat may be found on the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries web site.