An animal rescue group is clashing with Lincoln over a city law that prohibits the posting of fliers on public property.

The group, Greyhound Friends for Life, spent a recent Saturday posting handbills on signs and utility poles to inform people that a pet greyhound named Elmer had been lost near Joiner Parkway and Ferrari Ranch Road.

Two days later, the fliers were taken down after the dog's owners were threatened with a fine for violating city rules, said Auburn resident Shana Laursen of Greyhound Friends for Life.

"Don't they want to help the citizens?" Laursen asked, referring to city officials. "They told us we can put up fliers on private property or on people's windshields. But I think that doing that is more annoying than posting them on signs and utility poles."

Jill Thompson, a spokeswoman for Lincoln, said fliers, banners or other signage on public property aren't allowed.

"You can't even post a flier on a stop sign to advertise a garage sale," she said. "It's part of the municipal code."

Thompson said the option of posting fliers on private property – with permission of the owners – is one that should be pursued by residents.

Otherwise, those who post fliers or signs on streets and public property open themselves up to being charged with a misdemeanor crime or a fine, she said.

Mary Bushnell, Lincoln's code enforcement officer, said anyone who refuses to remove illegal fliers or signs is subject to a $100 fine for a first offense.

A second violation will cost $200, she said. A third offense costs $500.

"And the fine will be $500 per sign each day after the third offense," Bushnell said. "So if you have multiple signs, it can become very, very expensive."

Laursen said her rescue group did not feel its actions had harmed anyone or any property.

"We had volunteers come from as far as Anderson, which is a 2 1/2-hour drive, to post fliers for us," she said. "There were about a dozen of us."

Laursen said the volunteers posted the fliers with a tape that has minimal stickiness to it.

"It doesn't take the paint off the walls or posts," she said.

The 95-pound Elmer became lost July 10 when his owner's boyfriend opened the door at a residence and the dog ran into the street, Laursen said.

Scent hounds followed a trail heading west from Joiner Parkway and Ferrari Ranch Road through an open field, but Elmer could not be found, she said.

"Elmer is a friendly guy and would most likely head toward people," Laursen said in an e-mail. "It is also highly probable that he was picked up by someone in a car."

Anyone with information about the lost greyhound is urged to call (800) 446-8637.

Lincoln welcomes new police dog

Lincoln police have welcomed a new four-legged crime-fighter to the family.

It's Marty, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois dog who was born and trained in the Netherlands for police work before being sent to the United States.

Lt. Terry Kennedy said Lincoln officers tested several dogs before choosing Marty for the department's canine unit, which has only one other dog.

A private donation allowed Lincoln police to purchase the new dog, Kennedy said.

Marty is trained in criminal apprehension, narcotic detection, article search and the trailing of suspects. He will join Whisk, a German shepherd who was added to the department last year, Kennedy said.

Marty's partner on the force will be patrolman Scott Goucher, Kennedy said. Whisk's partner is Officer Nancy Best, he said.

Call The Bee's Art Campos, (916) 773-2825.