Natchez — Leash law violators could now be given a $200 citation on the spot from Natchez law enforcement and animal control officers.

Natchez Mayor Jake Middleton said Wednesday after a meeting with the Natchez Leash Law Citizens Committee that the officers now have the clear authority to issue the citations. It was unclear about the officers’ leash law authority when the mayor last met with the committee with the on Sept. 29.

Middleton also said he spoke with Natchez Police Department nighttime patrol officers, and they are “beefing up” their nighttime patrol for unleashed dogs.

“If we catch someone’s dog, it’s going to cost them a lot of money,” Middleton said. “I’m dead serious about that.”

Middleton said right now there is no extra patrol for dogs, but the officers are making it a part of their regular nighttime patrol.

Middleton said he and the committee are still working to include increasing fines for repeat violators in the city’s leash law.

“We’re staying on top of this,” Middleton said. “We’re going to take care of this business.”