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Animal Control Unit
The Castle Rock Police Department’s Animal Control Unit consists of two full-time animal control officers who operate under CRPD’s Special Operations Division. Created in 2006, this unit serves residents and their pets and supports all animals in Castle Rock. In addition to providing education and enforcement for animal issues to include excessive barking, leash laws, animal bites and animal welfare, this unit also partners with area agencies to ensure a safe and secure environment for the people and animals of the Town.
Animal Control Officers are available daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. They can be reached at 720-733-6063, or via email at PoliceAnimalControl@crgov.com. If you need assistance outside of these hours, please contact the Castle Rock Police Department’s Dispatch Center at 303-663-6100. To report an emergency, dial 911.
Information and rules regarding pets, wildlife and more in the Town of Castle Rock can be found by visiting the Town of Castle Rock Municipal Code Title 6 - ANIMALS.
Information regarding Animal Control Unit’s most popular services can be found below:
- Animal licensing
- Barking dogs
- Leash up, pick up
- Lost pets
- Potentially Dangerous Animal (PDA)
- Wildlife
Animal Licensing
Town Code requires all dogs residing in the Town of Castle Rock, over the age of 6 months, be licensed. Cats do not require a license. For a complete listing of the rules and regulations for animals in Castle Rock, view the Town's Municipal Code Title 6.
To obtain a license for goats or pigs, contact the Animal Control Unit during normal business hours.
The Castle Rock Police Department has partnered with DocuPet to make licensing your dog fast, easy and convenient. There are many benefits when you license your dog with CRPD and DocuPet:
- In the event your dog gets lost, their return home can be expedited
- Licensing is affordable, starting at $10/year for a neutered/spayed dog, $20/year for a dog that’s intact
- DocuPet will provide emailed reminders for vaccinations and licensing renewals
How to apply
DocuPet is the Town of Castle Rock's official pet licensing partner. In addition to your pet's official license, DocuPet also provides:
- Full access to the HomeSafe™ 24/7 lost pet service
- A selection of over 160 designer tag options that double as your pet's official license
- A central dashboard for your pet's medical records and information
- A quick and easy online solution for purchasing and renewing your pet's license
Funds provided by pet licenses supply much-needed financial resources for local animal welfare program initiatives. Also, DocuPet offers a designer license tag upgrade option that donates 20% of each purchase to the Denver Dumb Friends League Buddy Center.
More information
The fastest and easiest way to license your pet is by creating your secure online profile. You may also license your pet by printing a Castle Rock DocuPet License Form (PDF) and mailing it to:
- DocuPet
235 Harrison St.
Number 61
Syracuse, NY 13202
Note: You must provide a copy of your pet's certificate of rabies vaccination to obtain a license.
For licensing-related questions, call DocuPet at 877-239-6072. To report a lost or found pet, log in to your DocuPet account or call 877-239-6072 and press option 3.
Report a Barking Dog
To report a problem with a barking dog, please phone 720-733-6063 during business hours, or report your concern using the online TRAKiT software system. The address of the barking dog needs to be included. Please be advised if your barking complaint is submitted anonymously, an officer will respond to investigate; however, if no violation is witnessed by the officer, the dog owner will not be contacted.
Please note: Animal Control officers work 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with the exception of holidays. Your online report may not be read until the next business day. A 24-hour non-emergency line is also available by calling our dispatch center at 303-663-6100.
Municipal Code 6.02.110 - Noisy Dogs
Section 6.02.110 of the Town's Municipal Code states:
A. It is unlawful to keep a dog which, individually or in combination with another dog or dogs kept on the same premises, makes noise by barking, howling, whining, yelping or other utterance which is plainly audible beyond the premises on which the animal is kept, for a consecutive period in excess of ten (10) minutes at any time during the day or night.
More Information
For more information regarding barking dogs, view Municipal Code Title 6.
Leash Up, Pick Up
Castle Rock residents and visitors alike enjoy the Town’s beautiful parks and trails. We need your help keeping these areas safe and clean.
Leash Laws
According to the Town’s Municipal Code, leashes/cords/chains cannot be more than 10 feet in length. They must be held by a person of sufficient age, size and physical ability to restrain the animal. Additionally, physical leashes are required, meaning e-collars and remote leashes do not comply in public settings.
The only places pets can be off-leash within the Town of Castle Rock include your personal property and at designated dog parks. If you are walking your dog on trails, open space, parks, etc., they must be leashed.
If you see an unattended dog off-leash, please contact CRPD’s dispatch center at 303-663-6100.
Please contact the Animal Control Unit at 720-733-6063 to report the following:
- Dog off-leash with owner
- If you have contained a lost dog/pet
- On-going issue with a dog owner letting their pet off-leash
You may also report on-going issues involving dogs off-leash through our online TRAKiT software system. Select Issue Type 21 – Dog not on a leash.
Pet Solid Waste
The Town Municipal Code requires the proper disposal of pet solid waste in order to protect public health, safety and welfare.
Castle Rock Water advises dog waste left on Town trails is a primary contributor to pollution in watersheds. Learn more about preventing watershed pollution and Protecting Water Quality from the Water Department.
More Information
For additional details regarding these laws, please see the Town of Castle Rock Municipal Code Title 6.
Lost Pets
If you are searching for a lost pet, please contact the Denver Dumb Friends League Buddy Center prior to reaching out to CRPD’s Animal Control Unit. Any lost pets located by our Animal Control Officers will be scanned for a microchip or any other identifying information. If none is found, Animal Control will take them to Buddy Center located in Castle Rock.
Denver Dumb Friends League Buddy Center
4556 Castleton Court
Castle Rock, CO 80109
Phone: 303-751-5772
Castle Rock Buddy Center website
Hours of Operation: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If your lost pet is not located at Buddy Center, please contact our Animal Control Unit.
Potentially Dangerous Animal (PDA) Permitting
If you are found guilty of possessing a potentially dangerous animal and wish to keep the animal within the Town limits, the animal must be permitted.
An animal determined to be Potentially Dangerous will also require the following:
- The owner will apply for a Potentially Dangerous Animal (PDA) Permit within five days of the date of conviction
- Only one PDA is allowed per household
- The animal must have a microchip implanted
- If the animal is a dog, the dog must maintain a current Town of Castle Rock Dog License. This license is separate from the PDA permit and is required of all dogs in the Town. For information on animal licensing with the town, visit the Animal Licensing tab
- The animal must maintain a current rabies vaccination
- Signage advising of the presence of a PDA at the residence must be displayed. Sign(s) will be provided by the Castle Rock Animal License division
The review process may require an inspection at your residence. The following items must be submitted with your application:
- Three digital photos of animal: left, right and front views
- Microchip confirmed
- Current rabies vaccination certificate
- Current Municipal animal license (excluding cats)
Be advised that Animal Control may conduct periodic inspections to ensure compliance with the court's orders. The restrictions of this permit will be in place for 36 months. Failure to comply with any of the orders, or, if it is determined that the animal remains a threat to public safety, the animal may be seized and impounded. You may then be charged with the more serious charge of Dangerous Animal.
Once the application is approved, you will receive a signed copy of the permit by mail. This mailing will also include the required signage.
Submit an Application
Ready to submit your application? You can either complete our online application or print a Potentially Dangerous Animal Permit Application (PDF) to be delivered to the:
Castle Rock Police Department Animal Control Division
100 Perry St.
Castle Rock, CO 80104
There is a one-time non-refundable permit fee of $300. Payments can be made:
- Online - send an email to Police Animal Control requesting online payment and your case number. You will be sent an email back with a link to a third-party payment portal. A small processing fee applies.
- Credit Card, Check or Cash - Please present in person to the Records Department with your permit application. VISA, Master Card, or Discover accepted. Returned checks will nullify the approved permit.
Petition for PDA Permit Removal (After 36 Months)
Any restrictions ordered in the disposition must be followed and will be effective for 36 months starting from the date of the approved PDA permit. At the end of the 36 months, you may petition the court to have the designation of PDA removed. Be advised that the designation and restrictions will not automatically expire. You must petition the court for removal. If approved, you will no longer be required to comply with the restrictions.
- Online: Petition for PDA Permit removal
- Downloadable: Petition for PDA removal (PDF)
Wildlife
The Castle Rock Police Department’s Animal Control Unit works with Colorado Parks and Wildlife when assisting with wildlife contacts in the Town. This includes bears, bobcats, coyotes, deer, elk, foxes, mountain lions, raccoons and others. Please note, except for certain types of birds, feeding wildlife is prohibited by state and local laws.
To report concerns with wildlife, please contact the Animal Control Unit or CPW.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Northeast Region
6060 Broadway
Denver, CO 80216
Phone: 303-291-7227
Colorado Parks and Wildlife website
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.