Monthly National Legislation Report

September 18, 2008

2008-08-19T14:37:00.067-04:00

FEDERAL

HR6598 - `Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008' - To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit certain conduct relating to the use of horses for human consumption. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

ALABAMA

Brookside - officials are considering an ordinance with constrictions for pit bull owners in the town would prohibit residents from owning or keeping dangerous dogs, require permits for those animals and levy penalties for violations of the ordinance. The proposed ordinance would require owners of dangerous dogs, including pit bulls, to register the dogs and pay a $50 fee. If taken outside, the dog must be kept on a four-foot leash and wear a muzzle. Dog owners would have to keep the dogs indoors or in a pen, post a "Beware of Dog" sign on property, and provide proof of liability insurance for $100,000 for bodily injury, death or property damage. The ordinance describes three kinds of dogs - the American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier and the Staffordshire bull terrier.

Clay - (9/1/08) - The City Council is responding to complaints by passing an ordinance, which in effect, tells people in all residential areas except agricultural to keep it down. If they don't, they may be subject to a $500 fine or no more than 180 days in jail. The ordinance includes a section particular to animals. It says a person who owns or keeps any animal or bird which howls, barks, squawks or makes other sounds or noise that is long enough and loud enough to create "excessive and unnecessary noise across a residential or commercial property line" or within 500 feet from where a school, nursing home, or church is located, is prohibited. For dogs which make noise continuously for twenty minutes or intermittantly for 45 minutes, the owners will be in violation of the ordinance. (Ed Note: Councilman Ricky Baker said the ordinance is needed because it is forseeable that a dog could bark six hours, especially basset hounds. He said he had a dog that barked a lot, so he just opened the gate and let it go. )

ALASKA

No report

ARIZONA

No report

ARKANSAS

Jonesboro - (8/20/08) - Northeast Arkansans For Animals brought their plea to the city of Jonesboro's public safety committee Tuesday night (8/19/08). That ordinance would prohibit dogs from being chained up. The only option to this would be a dog being on a trolley, where they have more room to move around. Another provision in the ordinance creating some controversy, is a line that says dogs that are un-neutered must remain in an enclosed yard or indoors . Also in the ordinance, expand fence lines to 150 square feet. The proposed ordinance will be revisited next month before being sent on to the full council.

Rogers - (9/10/08) - Residents say the dogs are a nuisance. In Washington County, there is no law that limits the number of dogs a person is allowed to own. Animal control officers say even though they think Harp has too many dogs, legally, their hands are tied. There are no leash laws, either.

CALIFORNIA

AB2427 - An act to amend Section 460 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to professions and vocations. This bill would make it unlawful for a city or county to prohibit that person or a group of those persons from engaging in any act or series of acts that fall within the statutory or regulatory definition of that business, occupation, or profession.
Status: SEN BUSINESS, PROFESSIONS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Anderson - City Council unanimously agreed last week to insert some additional teeth into the city's existing dangerous dog ordinance. The ordinance, as revised by the council's action on Tuesday, Sept. 2, specifies the minimum amount of liability insurance at $300,000 "against injuries or damages arising out of actions of such a dog."

Costa Mesa - (8/20/08) - A new animal law passed in Costa Mesa on Tuesday night may have dog owners barking at the City Council. The council, in a 3-2 vote, amended its laws to begin administering fines on owners whose dogs make excessive noise. Under the new law, a dog disturbance is defined as barking, banging, howling or crying that lasts for 30 minutes continuously or for 60 minutes over a 24-hour period. If the city receives a complaint, residents will first be notified verbally and then through a personal visit or registered letter. If the disturbance continues after a 10-day period, citations will be given with various penalties depending on the number of citations a person receives within a year. As part of a change to the law before the vote, the proposed first-time violation fine of $250 was reduced to $200. Fees increase after the first citation to $275, $303, $333, $366, and finally, $403. The fines are in line with other cities countywide. Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Laguna Woods and Laguna Beach have the lowest first-offense citation at $100, though most cities fine $250. For the sixth fine, most cities charge $403, but Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo and Mission Viejo citations come with a $550 penalty. In the case of a renter being cited, the property owner would be notified of the citation, but the animal owner would be responsible for the civil citation.

Elk Grove - (9/3/08) - City officials are looking to change the municipal code that deals with dangerous and vicious animals. The pit bull issue raised its head again on Aug. 20 when a pair of pit bulls went on the loose in a north Elk Grove neighborhood and chased residents, attacked and injured another dog, and confronted responding police officers. This incident comes at a time when the city staff is proposing changes to the Elk Grove municipal code regarding animal cases, including cases where animals are considered to be threatening or lethal.Under the possible changes mentioned at the Aug. 27 Elk Grove City Council meeting, the definitions of “vicious” and “dangerous” animals could be altered. Another possibility would allow police to have greater power in deciding whether or not to take an animal into custody.These changes will go before city council review during their Sept. 10 meeting.

Kern County - Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (08/26/08) will consider a new program to better manage animal overpopulation and reduce euthanasia rates. It will require additional funding for the county’s Animal Control Department. And that could be tricky in light of a budget shortfall this year that forced staff reductions and other cuts to many departments last month. Mandatory spay-and-neuter rules are off the table right now largely due to lack of community support and the resources to enforce them. "read more here"

Manteca - (8/19/08) - Update: Come mid-October if you live in Manteca and own a pit bull breed you either have to get it fixed, qualify as a legitimate breeder through a set of tight rules, or risk becoming a criminal and having the dog destroyed. The Manteca City Council on Monday (8/18/08) adopted the first reading of a municipal ordinance that would make spaying and neutering of pit bull breeds mandatory in the City of Manteca with one exception - for breeding under strict conditions that require a city issued permit. If a second reading passes in two weeks, the law would go into effect in mid-October.
UPDATE Pit bull owners have another month to have their dogs spayed or neutered before they face fines and possible jail time under a city ordinance that became official Tuesday night (09/02/08).

Los Angeles - (8/19/08) - The Los Angeles Department of Animal Services is poorly prepared to enforce its new mandatory spay and neuter law, a City Controller's office audit has found.
"Though Animal Services is charged with enforcing the mandatory spay and neuter law, it does not intend to do so," Chick said in releasing the audit Tuesday. "Instead, the department, as it does with the leash law and dog licensing, will rely on voluntary compliance," and that, is not good enough. Edward A. Boks, Animal Services general manager, said his cash-strapped department was given no money to enforce the measure when the City Council and the mayor approved it earlier this year. He said he has had to rely on "a wonderful group of volunteers" to help get the word out to pet owners. The law, which takes effect Oct. 1, requires that most dogs and cats be spayed or neutered by the time they are 4 months old. Owners who fail to comply will be given a warning and information about low-cost sterilization clinics. After that, scofflaws are subject to a series of increasingly stiff penalties, the most severe being a $500 fine or 40 hours of community service. Another article here.

Watsonville - City Council on Tuesday (08/26/08) rejected enacting regulations targeting specific breeds of dogs. Instead, the council directed staff to stiffen existing rules, develop an educational outreach program and explore having city or civil court authorities oversee vicious dog hearings.

COLORADO

Peetz - (9/11/08) - The Peetz Town Council approved adopting the Logan County Dog Ordinance at their last meeting. The ordinance prohibits dogs running-at-large and harboring a habitual and persistent barking dog in the unincorporated areas of Logan County.

CONNECTICUT

Fairfield - (8/22/08) - The Parks and Recreation Commission voted on beach rule changes Wednesday, deciding to allow horses on the beach absent of paying a fee and tightening dog leash laws. The changes were first brought up at a public hearing on June 18 after numerous concerns and complaints came in over the last year to Parks and Recreation Director Gerry Lombardo. According to Ellery Plotkin, Parks and Recreation Commission chairman, there is now a stipulation formally in the regulations that horses are permitted on all Fairfield beaches between Oct. 1 and March 31, though only below the high tide line. It also has been formally established that owners clean up after their animals on the beach and in the parking lots. Another stipulation is that, while dogs are allowed on the beaches from Oct. 1 to March 31 as well, they are required to be leashed on all beaches, except Jennings where they may roam under voice command. Their owners are required to clean up after them as well.

Shelton - Board of Aldermen to look at what it can do to control ownership of dogs considered dangerous. The aldermen will review what they believe are the best state regulations and implement them as local ordinances at the next committee scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Oct. 3 in City Hall.

DELAWARE

No Report

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

No Report

FLORIDA

Collier County - County Commission unanimously passed a dangerous dog ordinance (09/09/08). Once a dog is declared dangerous, the owners must keep it in a six-sided enclosure; post signs at all entry ways stating the presence of a dangerous dog; install permanent identification on the dog, such as a tattoo or microchip; and pay $300 a year for a certificate of registration. The ordinance defines a dangerous dog as one that has aggressively bitten, attacked, endangered or inflicted severe injury on a human, domestic animal or used as a fighting dog. It also says that a dog can be labeled as dangerous if it has "when unprovoked, chased or approached a person ... in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack." Exceptions to this rule may be made if a licensed veterinarian certifies that the animal is a breeding animal in good standing or that spaying or neutering could be harmful to the animal.

Ft. Lauderdale - Miramar - (9/12/08) - The owner of four Siberian huskies accused of killing a tiny terrier is taking on a new county law that may condemn them to death. Miramar resident Julie Roberts filed a lawsuit in state court last week challenging a law that cracks down on dangerous dogs and says they may be euthanized after just one attack. Before the ordinance took effect May 13, getting to that point required at least two attacks. Roberts is the first to challenge the Broward ordinance. The ordinance gives dog owners the right to appeal to a county hearing officer. If they lose, they can file a court challenge. Jason Wandner, the attorney for Roberts, said the new ordinance is unconstitutional for several reasons, such as vague wording and allowing personal property to be seized without clear and convincing evidence."Animal control will have to prove that all four dogs caused the death of this little dog," Wandner said. So far, Wandner has successfully argued the dogs could be held by a private party. Under a judge's order signed Monday, animal control officers released the huskies to an animal hospital in Deerfield Beach. Assistant County Attorney Karen Gordon said Thursday she could not comment on the lawsuit and noted the county had not yet been served.

Naples - (9/9/08) - Late Tuesday afternoon, the Collier County Commission unanimously passed a dangerous dog ordinance. They pushed through a first reading of the new rules in June, then the commission took its summer break. County employees used the time to tweak the ordinance. Once a dog is declared dangerous, the owners must keep it in a six-sided enclosure; post signs at all entry ways stating the presence of a dangerous dog; install permanent identification on the dog, such as a tattoo or microchip; and pay $300 a year for a certificate of registration. With very little discussion about the ordinance, commissioners unanimously agreed to impose harsher financial penalties for the owners and physical penalties for their pets: if an animal is impounded for being deemed dangerous, that owner must spay or neuter the animal.

GEORGIA

No Report

IDAHO

American Falls - City Council proposing new rules on pit bulls are under decision by the City Council, in hopes of cutting down on the number of vicious attacks. Police and community members are asking for new rules, including restrictions on sheltering and paying an additional $100,000 for homeowner's insurance

ILLINOIS

Carbondale - city leaders recently voted unanimously to add some extra teeth into their town's dangerous dog ordinance. The revised ordinance now requires owners of a dangerous or vicious dog to show proof of liability insurance in the amount of $500,000 per occurrence. Owners would also have to have their dog spayed or neutered and atracking chip implanted at the owner's expense. And whenever the dog is inpublic it would have to be on a leash and muzzled at all times. Carbondale's animal control officer will decide if your pet is dangerous or not.

Rantoul - (8/19/08) - A Rantoul village board member wants to ban pit bulls, Rottweilers and Doberman pinschers from the village and set limits on the number of other dogs residents will be allowed to have. Rantoul has no ordinance limiting dog ownership. I'd like to place a certain limit on the types of dogs that could cause physical damage to the residents of Rantoul," Smith said. "In addition, I'd like a complete ban on certain types of dogs within the city limits." This isn't the first time Rantoul has considered placing a limit on dogs. In 2002, the board proposed prohibiting residents from owning more than three dogs. The village board proposed limiting all households to a maximum of three animals, which were defined as "any vertebrate species other than man." The proposal drew national attention, including a film crew from the Jerry Springer Show. However, the board did pass an ordinance prohibiting people from taking animals to children's play areas, pools or public schools; penalties for animal cruelty; prohibitions against dog fighting and cock fighting; requirements for animal owners to pick up droppings from their pets; and prohibitions against having dogs while manufacturing, delivering or possessing illegal drugs. Last week the Rantoul Village Board directed Culkin and the Rantoul Police Department to consider banning or limiting dogs. Village attorney Ken Beth said the current ordinance includes provisions for the village to legally declare particular breeds of dogs dangerous.
Any dog declared dangerous on three separate occasions will be declared a vicious dog and must be humanely destroyed within seven days of that declaration, according to the current ordinance. "We could declare a certain breed a dangerous dog without regard to having a previous incident of being involved in a threatening action," Beth said. B. J. Hackler, past president of the Illinois Municipal League, said no records are kept on the number of cities and villages that have ordinances prohibiting specific breeds of dogs. Rantoul Village Attorney Ken Beth said he helped to draft a similar animal ordinance for the Potomac Village Board.
UPDATE: (8/19/08) - Rantoul Mayor Neal Williams said one of his closest friends was a Rottweiler dog named Otis. Williams opposes a plan by village board member Chuck Smith to ban Rottweilers, pit bulls and Doberman pinschers from Rantoul. "I will have no part of banning Rottweilers, and I am confident that Chuck's request to ban a certain breed of animal will meet resistance from the public," he said.

Springfield - (8/19/08) - The Springfield City Council tonight (8/19/08) is scheduled to vote on steep increases for violations of the city’s animal-control ordinance. But exactly what violations would be affected isn’t clear. The proposed amendment to the city’s animal-control code sets the fine for a first violation at $200, a second violation at $400 and all subsequent violations at $800 unless a different fine is specified elsewhere in the ordinance. And another section of the ordinance does establish a different fine for allowing dogs to run loose. Under a section in the existing ordinance titled “Restraint of Dogs and Other Animals,” owners of loose dogs are subject to $50 fines for a first offense and $75 penalties for every subsequent infraction. The penalty provision in the existing ordinance is, essentially, a catch-all that covers most violations of the law, specifying fines of between $100 and $500 for such infractions as failing to clean up after Fido does his business. Aldermen put the ordinance on the consent agenda for today’s meeting, meaning it will likely be approved along with other non-controversial measures.

INDIANA

Union City - (9/10/08) - Union City council members are considering enacting an ordinance that would require the annual registration of dogs and cats. There would be a registration fee charged, and owners would have to provide proof of rabies vaccination. The pets would be required to wear a durable tag. The fees would be: $5 for neutered animals and $10 for unaltered animals. The ordinance requires the officer to keep at an appropriate shelter animals for not less than three working days any animals he has picked up. After the three days, the animals may be placed in a suitable home, retained at the shelter or euthanized. Animals released to the animal control officer by their owner or impounded animals not claimed within the three-day time period become the property of the city and may be disposed of at the discretion of the animal control officer. The ordinance would require kennel or cattery permits required for anyone who owns or harbors more than three unaltered dogs or cats over the age of six months or who engages in boarding dogs or cats for compensation. There is a separate category for major and minor breeders. "Major breeder " registration would be required of anyone who intentionally or accidentally permits the breeding of a cat or dog or makes a cat or dog available for breeding purposes or offers for sale, sells, trades or gives away any litter of dogs or cats. Major breeders may not transfer a dog or cat without the appropriate vaccinations
"Minor breeder" registration would be required of any person who owns or harbors a dog or cat which has delivered a litter, and who chooses not to have the animal neutered.
Copies of the entire proposed pet registration ordinance are available at the City Building. The matter will be on the agenda at the next meeting, which is scheduled for 6 p.m., Monday, September 22.

IOWA

Lisbon - A citizen´s concern about a lack of enforcement of leash laws in Lisbon was discussed at length by the city council last week, a leash law that states, "It shall be unlawful for any owner to allow an animal to run at large within the corporate limits of the city." Police chief Rick Scott said he wants citizens to call the police department (455-2452) or City Hall (455-2459) when dogs are loose. Council member Stephanie Kamberling said the law is "almost impossible to enforce," due to officers´ other duties and lack of personnel. Council member Doug Kamberling said there´s no simple solution and he does not want fees for people who have to retrieve their animals from a shelter to be prohibitively high. The council will research the issue further.

Sioux City - City Council pushes back discussion on a proposed pit bull ban. Council members say they want to make sure every member of the council can attend. Talks are now set for September 15th.
UPDATE: (9/15/08) - Sioux City Attorney Andrew Mai said Friday that the pit bull ordinance the City Council will vote on for final passage Monday (9/15/08) is the same as the original version which has already been approved twice.The law would impose a ban on pit bulls in the city, but would allow current owners to keep their dogs on the condition they are registered, licensed and hold microchip identification. They would not be allowed to replace their dog with another pit bull once it dies, however, and no new pit bulls would be allowed in the city. The ordinance would go into effect immediately, but pit bull owners would have six months to comply with the registration and other requirements. New pit bulls would also be allowed to be brought into the city during the initial six month period of the law. Violators' dogs would be impounded and be required to be put out of the city. If not removed, they would be euthanized. Mayor Mike Hobart said residents "of course" would be allowed to speak at Monday's meeting.
***SPECIAL ALERT sent 09/15/08***

Sioux City - (9/9/08) - Although poisonous spiders such as tarantulas are prohibited under Sioux City's ordinance, some similar-sized Siouxland cities allow them. Last week, Sioux City Animal Control seized 15 tanks filled with various species of venomous spiders after getting a tip from an anonymous caller. Tarantulas, which contain venom and are not indigenous to Iowa, are prohibited under the city's animal ordinance. Galen Barrett of Animal Control in Council Bluffs, Iowa, said tarantulas are allowed within the city limits. He said Council Bluffs' animal ordinance pertaining to "animals that are dangerous per se" is lengthy and consists of fur-bearing animals such as racoons, opossums and foxes. Pronghorned animals, such as moose and caribou, also are prohibited.Cedar Falls' animal ordinance allows residents to keep gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, mice, birds, snakes, insects and lizards in their homes. An animal control officer for the Iowa city said tarantulas are allowed within the city. She said constrictive snakes are prohibited in Waterloo but allowed in Cedar Falls.According to Sioux Falls, S.D.'s city animal ordinance, "any wild, nondomestic animals, reptiles or birds" that are known to be "dangerous, poisonous, vicious or ferocious" in captivity in the city must be registered with the animal control officer, the police department and the humane society.Sioux City's animal ordinance lists the following as dangerous animals: bears, wolves, wolf hybrid dogs, foxes, coyotes, lions, tigers, panthers, lynx, bobcats, elephants, bison, poisonous snakes and spiders, alligators, crocodiles, anacondas, pythons, boa constrictors and piranhas. City Attorney Andrew Mai said the animal ordinance is up to the City Council's discretion and can be amended at any time.

Spencer - (8/19/08) - After lengthy discussions at two previous city council sessions, followed by a meeting with Dr. Tom Beall of Homestead Small Animal Practice, Monday night the Spencer City Council passed the final filing of an amended amendment dealing with unrestrained vicious animals in public. The key objection to the ordinance brought before the council initially in July was the listing of breed-specific animals, rather than a more general focus. Objectors also stressed that the irresponsible owners needed to be held more accountable as opposed to just looking at the animal itself. The Public Safety Committee met Aug. 12 to take into consideration the public comments that had been received during the first and second filings of the ordinance. It was determined that the ordinance should remain intact with the exception of removing any reference to a specific breed of dog; instead the ordinance gives a detailed definition of a "vicious animal," and also clarifies when an animal may be destroyed. Mayor Reynold Peterson said, "One other thing that came out of the meeting is that we need to review ordinances with animals to put more liability on owners." The new amendment passed on a 7-0 vote.

West Liberty - The Finance and Ordinance committee is meeting today (08/27/08) to discuss the possibility of drafting a breed specific ordinance. The committee will report back to the full council on September 2. ***SPECIAL ALERT sent 08/28/08***
UPDATE: City Council heard a report from the Public Safety Committee regarding a breed-specific ordinance at its regular meeting last Tuesday, Sept. 2. The ban was originally brought up at a council meeting last month as a result of several incidents involving pit bulls attacking or acting aggressively toward people. The committee agreed no grandfather clause for current pit bull owners would be put in the proposed ordinance.

LOUISIANA

No Report

MAINE

Cape Elizabeth - (9/13/08) - An unscooped dog poop in Fort Williams could lead to a $250 fine under an ordinance update approved Monday night by the Cape Elizabeth Town Council

MARYLAND

No Report

MASSACHUSETTS

H5092 - AN ACT RELATIVE TO ANIMALS - Section 136 of chapter 140 if the General Laws, as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting, after the definition "Adoption", the following 4 definitions: - Assistance and service dos, breed, competition dogs, currently vaccinated, etc.

* Mandate spaying and neutering of all dogs at age 12 months
* Create $500 annual "intact permits" for each dog
( Essentially eliminate the breeding or keeping of intact dogs that are registered with several major registries
* Limit intact permits only to dogs that have the physical appearance of the show dog standard
* Grant intact permits to dogs used in competition only if the local municipality approves the dog's registry
* Establish unreasonable nuisance definitions that will give complete discretion to animal control officers to order the seizure, destruction or banishment of a dog
* Ban the tethering of all dogs, except for brief periods
* Give broad powers to every municipality to ban or restrict specific breeds of dogs, and to seize, ban or kill any dog that can be deemed dangerous simply by briefly chasing another animal
* Require anyone who applies for an intact permit to attend training classes on "responsible pet ownership
* Require anyone who sells a dog or puppy to turn in the names, addresses and phone numbers of each buyer
* Impose fines and penalties, including possible imprisonment, for violations

Status: House Steering, Policy and Scheduling

MICHIGAN

HB 6395 - A bill to amend 1969 PA 287, entitled "An act to regulate pet shops, animal control shelters, and animal protection shelters; to establish uniform procedures and minimum requirements for adoption of dogs, cats, and ferrets; and to prescribe penalties and civil fines and to provide remedies,"by amending the title and sections 1 and 9 (MCL 287.331 and 287.339), as amended by 1997 PA 7, and by adding sections 5c, 5d, and 5e.
UPDATE: Rep. Caul will not reintroduce the bill next session. Instead, he's going to meet interested groups to draft something more reasonable.

Farmington Hills - officials are to vote Monday (8/25/08) on a dangerous animal ordinance after they heard numerous complaints about animals -- mostly dogs. The proposed ordinance sets up an animal review board to review complaints. Owners of dangerous animals must register their pets, keep them in enclosed areas and post signs warning others. They also must carry at least $1.5 million in liability insurance and attend a certified animal obedience class.***SPECIAL ALERT sent 8/24/08***

Grosse Pointe Park - (8/25/08) - At its Aug. 25 meeting, members approved a new ordinance that covers both dogs and the people who own them. Designed to give the public safety department the leverage and discretion it needs to deal with dangerous dogs, the ordinance bans any breed commonly referred to as a "pit bull." Included are any bull terrier breeds, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire bull terriers, American pit bull terriers and any mixed breed dog that has the appearance or characteristics of a pit bull. A dog is considered dangerous if it "causes injury to a person or domestic animal, chases or menaces a person or domestic animal in an aggressive manner, or acts in a highly aggressively manner within a fenced or enclosed area, and appears to a reasonable person able to jump over or escape. The ordinance also sets minimum requirements for owning a dog in Grosse Pointe Park that include licensing the dog with the city, keeping it on a leash or in a secured area at all times when outdoors, and cleaning up any droppings left by the dog in public areas. The ordinance takes effect immediately and dogs currently living in the city are not excused from the ban. That doesn't mean that pit bulls must be out of town by sundown, either. According to Public Safety Director Chief David Hiller, the city can't simply go into homes and remove the animals."We will work with the city attorney on the best way to enact this," he said. "One of the first ways will be through the licensing process. All dog licenses must be renewed in December and we won't renew a license for a pit bull. By not having a licensed dog, the owner will be in violation of the ordinance and that will give us a starting point for removing the dog. The ordinance allows officers to ticket the owners of dogs that habitually bark, yelp or howl. Violations carry a graduated fine schedule that tops off at $500 and/or 90 days in jail. Several cities have similar bans on pit bull breeds, including Grosse Pointe Woods.

Hazel Park - City Council last week approved the first version of an ordinance that aims to regulate the ownership of dangerous animals, specifically pit bulls. The ordinance would require that anyone that owns a Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier or American pit bull terrier must register the animal with the city and meet certain criteria to house the animals. The dogs must be confined to a pen in the owner’s yard and must at all times be on a leash, and must be muzzled if ever taken out of the confinement, which must be locked and at least 6 feet high. The homeowner must also display a “beware of dog” sign on the home and kennel. Owners must report the death or birth of any pit bulls within the city limits, and the dog owner’s address must be current at all times with city records. UPDATE: (8/25/08) - City council members Tuesday voted unanimously to put tighter restrictions in place for those who own of pit bull-type dogs. Members also added a provision that would prohibit tying any breed of dog to an inanimate object, such as a tree, post, fence or building. The ordinance defines pit bull-type animals as the Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier and the American pit bull terrier. Under the amended law, owners of the three breeds of pit bull would have to keep their animals on a leash when outside of a fence and an adult person 18 years or older would have to be in physical control of the leash. Additionally, the dogs would have to be muzzled when outside of a house, kennel or fence; confined to the indoors or if outdoors, kept in a securely enclosed and locked six foot pen, kennel or fence, which has secure sides and a secure top for a kennel or pen. The dogs must be confined indoors, but not on a porch, patio or any part of a house or structure that would allow the dog to exit the building. Spiked dog collars are prohibited. Owners must post "Beware of Dog" on the kennel, pen or fence containing the animal. Owners must notify the city in writing about the removal or death of a pit bull, must report the birth of offspring and the notification of the new address if the owner moves to another address in the city. The city also is proposing new permit requirements and an annual permit fee of $50 for the breeds. Owners of pit bull breeds have six months to put in fencing to contain their dogs.

Romeo - (9/10/08) - Four to six months of research by the Bruce Township Planning Commission has culminated in the recommendation of more than two dozen amendments to various ordinances. Among the changes are accessory building regulations and adding new subsections for special land use requests, including dog grooming and training facilities. The amendments will not become law until the Board of Trustees approve and publish the changes. The changes were inspired by various instances the township has dealt with, from dog kennels to soil removal, as well as general clarifications to help establish credibility for the township. Along with dog-related amendments, a provision for farm animals in residential areas was amended to say two acres of land must be provided for the first animal, and an additional acre for every animal after that. Minimum of five acres for dog kennels.

Southfield - City Council considering pit bull ban. The item came before council because the city has been without an animal control officer for four years. City Attorney John Beras brought the recommendation that the city hire a new officer and discuss the issue of placing restrictions on the ownership of “dangerous dogs,” or banning them outright. Southfield’s former animal control officer retired in 2004 and was never replaced due to budget constraints. Council approved hiring a new and this time armed with a gun animal control officer 5-0. Pit bulls currently residing in the city would be grandfathered in, but subject to new restrictions. According to the restrictions, pit bulls already in the city must be registered and licensed as a pit bull; be kept on no longer than a four-foot leash and be muzzled when off the property; if the animal is kept in a dog pen, the pen must have a roof and a floor; and the owner must have liability insurance.

MISSISSIPPI

Columbus - (8/21/08) - Pet owners in Columbus may soon be required to register their dogs.
Additionally, a $10 annual fee, will be required and dogs must wear identification tags.
The Columbus City Council has approved an initial adoption of a new animal control ordinance for the city. After 30 days, including time for a public hearing on the matter, the City Council will be asked to issue final approval. If a dog is found without identification, the pet owner will be charged $10 for the first violation, $20 for the second offense and $40 for the third violation.

Greenwood - Owners of pit bulls in Greenwood soon will face new restrictions following unanimous action Tuesday by the City Council. The new law, which takes effect in 30 days, requires owners of pit bulls to register them with the Leflore County Humane Society. Owners of pit bulls also must obtain a $100,000 personal liability policy. In lieu of insurance, owners may post $100,000 cash bond issued through an approved bonding company. Proof of such insurance must be filed with the city clerk's office. The registration process shall include the name, address and telephone number of the dog's owner; where the dog is harbored; a complete identification of the dog including its sex, color and distinguishing physical characteristics; and a color photograph of the dog along with a "description of the method of compliance with the confinement requirements" of the ordinance. Only those 21 years and older may own, keep or harbor pit bulls or walk them on leashes in the city. The ordinance defines a pit bull as "any dog which exhibits those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club for American Staffordshire Terriers or Staffordshire Bull Terriers, or which substantially conform to the standards established by the United Kennel Club for American Pit Bull Terriers."

MISSOURI

Buckner - A ban on pit bull breed dogs in Buckner remains in effect, despite the opposition of prospective homeowners who own pit bull dogs. The Buckner Board of Aldermen voted 4-to-2 Thursday night (09-02-08) to retain the ordinance, following weeks of discussion and controversy. The board voted following a presentation by a dog advocate, who presented information about pit bull breeds, offering research to counter the contention that the breed is innately dangerous and vicious. Casey Martinez, who represents K.C. Dog Advocates, presented information about how pit bulls have been misrepresented in the media as being more vicious and dangerous than other breeds. She cited statistics showing that attacks by pit bulls are more often reported by the press than attacks by other breeds, leading to the public's belief that they're more dangerous. She said attacks by other dog breeds rarely are reported. Cases such as a pit bull attack that seriously injured an Independence man a few years ago, work to manipulate the public's perception of the breed, she said. "Because that's what the media puts in our face every day, that's what we perceive as reality," Martinez told the board and about 15 visitors who attended the meeting.

Springfield - (8/20/08) - City council has heard a presentation this week from leaders up in St Joseph on how they deal with animal owners in their city. Councilwoman Mary Colette says a good first step for Springfield would be adding permits for breeders plus a fee for anytime an animal has a litter of puppies or kittens. She says St Joe has had these ordinances in place for ten years and has seen a big decline in the amount of stray animals on the streets. She adds that these ideas are in their infancy for Springfield and will be looked at by a committee before anything is recommended to city council.

MONTANA

No Report

NEBRASKA

Omaha - (8/19/08) - The clock is ticking as a proposal to address dangerous dogs is set to go before the city council next week. A compromise is on the table, a possible law that doesn't' ban pit bulls but does address dangerous dogs in the city. Both sides are battling to find balance to a proposed city law. "We're seeing some compromise towards the position that if you're willing to mandate muzzling of dangerous dogs, maybe we can live without a ban," says Omaha City Council President Dan Welch. The council is expected to see the issue on the agenda August 26. The first public hearing will take place a week after that. It's still unclear how the council will vote. UPDATE: (9/8/08) - The Omaha City Council begins consideration of the dangerous dog ordinance on Tuesday, September 9th.

NEVADA

Clark County - (9/10/08) - Clark County Animal Control officials want the animal population regulated, and they will be seeking a law to ensure pets are spayed and neutered. At 6:30 p.m. Thursday,(9/11/08), the Clark County Animal Control Advisory Board will hold a meeting at the Desert Breeze Community Center to discuss a mandatory spay and neuter bill. If approved, all dogs and cats at 4 months old and older in Clark County would have to be fixed. Officials modeled the bill after a spay and neuter bill passed by North Las Vegas.
UPDATE: Removed from agenda, re-scheduled for October 16th.

Ely - City of Ely might soon address the issue in some form following the recent attack on a smaller dog by a pit bull. Kim Young is Ely's animal control officer. She would like to bring an ordinance to the city council that would ban pit bulls from the city unless the owner has a breeder's license.” ***SPECIAL ALERT sent 09/04/08***

NEW JERSEY

No Report

NEW YORK

Clifton Park - (8/19/08) - Questions were raised Monday (8/18/08) night at a public hearing for residents to respond to a proposed townwide leash law. Other residents asked the board to consider adding a requirement that dogs have obedience training before owners can get a permit, which would make it more likely that the dogs could be kept under control, and also limiting to three dogs that one person is allowed to bring off-leash into the parks at one time. The proposed laws tighten up other policies, including requiring owners to show proof of updated rabies shots and a current dog license when applying for a permit. Owners found breaking leash laws will also face larger fines of up to $250 for a second offense, and $500 for a third violation. Board members said while patrols of the parks will be stepped up, they are also asking residents to police the areas themselves and report any violators. There were no comments from residents about these additional provisions in the town laws. The Town Board took no action on approving the leash laws Monday night, and changes will be made in the document and posted on the town Web site soon. The board is expected to vote on a final draft next month.

Volney - (8/20/08) - Members of the Volney Town board adopted a noise ordinance during last week’s meeting. The purpose of the law is to prevent excessive, unnecessary, unnatural, or unusually loud noise within town boundaries. This is patterned after the noise ordinance in the City of Oswego. Specifically, the law addresses animals, alarms, emergency-vehicle devices, motor vehicles, outdoor power equipment, construction activities, parties, and outdoor social events. The law states that no one can own, harbor, or possess an animal that continuously or frequently creates an unreasonable sound. This includes a barking dog that barks continuously, specifically for more than a 10-minute period. Any one found in violation of the law will be subject to a fine of not less than $100 or more than $500 for the first offense. For the second and subsequent offenses, the fines jump to $500 to $1,000, imprisonment for a period of 15 days, or a combination of fine and imprisonment. The law will take effect immediately after it is filed with the New York State Department of State.

NORTH CAROLINA

Brunswick County - Bolivia - (8/24/08) - The man wants his dogs back, and he doesn't want the word "dangerous" associated with them. Kirby is appealing a decision by Brunswick County's health director that his Doberman pinschers, Teddy and Nina, are "potentially dangerous" because they acted in a vicious and attacking manner. He and his attorney are also trying to get a piece of the county's ordinance, which states a dog can be declared dangerous just by barking in a vicious manner, overturned. Calley Gerber, an animal law attorney in Raleigh, filed the appeal Thursday in Brunswick County Superior Court. She hopes the case will go to a hearing Oct. 14. The county's dangerous dog ordinance requires owners to build a chain-link fence with an enclosed top. Houses are not considered proper enclosures for potentially dangerous animals. "That's a pretty crazy argument to say that your house is not a safe place to keep your dog," she said. Gerber said she is also challenging whether a county ordinance stating that houses are not considered proper enclosures is constitutional. "To me, it is just insane they've been identified as dangerous," he said. "No one has ever evaluated them, and that is just wrong."

Durham - (9/11/08) - By a 4-1 vote, Durham County Commissioners Monday night (09/08/08) passed several amendments to a local ordinance that outlaws the unattended tethering of dogs, effective Jan. 1, 2010. Tethering is defined as tying out or fastening a dog outdoors on a rope, chain or other kind of line; it does not include putting a dog on an attended leash. The amendments also cover physical space requirements: Dogs less than 20 pounds must have no less than 100 square feet of unobstructed space per animal, not including a dog house; dogs more than 20 pounds must have no less than 200 square feet.

NORTH DAKOTA

No Report

OHIO

Canton - (9/13/08) - Canton City Council is proposing to designate American bulldogs as dangerous or vicious animals. The city already includes pit bulls in the group, a change approved last year, requiring $100,000 in liability insurance for pit bull owners. Pit bulls also must be walked on a leash while muzzled. If approved by council Monday, the same requirements would apply to American bulldogs, including restricting the dogs to backyards with 6-foot fences when they are outside. The legislation is up for a vote at Monday's (9/15/08) City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall at 218 Cleveland Ave. SW in downtown Canton. Anyone wishing to comment on the issue must sign up no later than 7:15 p.m. Monday.
***SPECIAL ALERT sent 9/15/08***

Milford - (9/9/08) - A dispute between two neighbors over dogs unearthed possible zoning issues in regards to housing pets during Monday night's Milford Center Village Council meeting.
Council did not set a committee meeting date for the issue because the village solicitor will need to be contacted first.

Reading - following the defeat of a previous proposal to ban vicious dogs, city council is now considering passing a law that would require owners of vicious dogs to have the animals electronically registered with an implanted microchip and covered by liability insurance. The previous vicious dogs proposal was defeated by a 4-3 council vote this year. The defeated proposal would have banned vicious dogs, as defined by the Ohio revised code. "It was not breed specific," Nordin said. The new proposed law, vicious dogs will continue to be allowed in the city but their owners would be required to have a minimum of $100,000 worth of liability insurance on each animal. The new ordinance would also require vicious dog owners to provide proof of electronic registration of their animals.
**Note** Ohio Revised Code defines a vicious dog as one that, without provocation, has killed or injured a person or another dog, and or a dog that belongs to the breed that is commonly known as pit bull.

OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma City - City Council Meeting (09/09/08) the Mayor and Council members received a report from the city manager concerning spay neuter ordinances.

OREGON

No Report

PENNSYLVANIA

Harrisburg - (8/22/08) - Animal-rights advocates were unhappy last month when the bill sponsored by Rep. James Casorio, D-Westmoreland, languished at the Legislature’s summer break. Now they’re frothing mad over the recent shooting of 80 dogs at two Berks County kennels. House members return to session Sept. 15, and they are under increased pressure to move Casorio’s bill. If it does not pass before the 2007-08 term ends in November, it will have to be reintroduced in the term that begins in January. Casorio’s bill would also double the minimum floor space for dogs at kennels and require solid flooring rather than wire floors in which a dog’s feet can get stuck. It would also eliminate cage stacking at commercial breeders, require access to an outdoor exercise area. UPDATE: (9/13/08) - House Democratic leaders plan a vote soon on legislation to improve conditions in Pennsylvanias puppy mills now that lawmakers are returning to session. The Rendell administration is pushing high-profile legislation to strengthen enforcement of the states dog laws, require state licensing of many kennels and set minimum standards for commercial dog breeders. However, House Minority Leader Sam Smith, R-Punxsutawney, questioned making the dog law a top priority given a limited number of session days this fall. In a memo to his caucus, Smith suggested the bill is a pet project of a popular TV talk show host."Instead of dealing with MCare or (electric) rate cap mitigation, we will probably be dealing with Oprah Winfrey's dog legislation, which is opposed by veterinarians, professional dog breeders, Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (pet stores and breeders) and the Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs", wrote Smith. Additional information & article here.

RHODE ISLAND

No Report

SOUTH CAROLINA

Spartanburg - (9/8/08) - Spartanburg City Council passed a first reading on a newly revised animal ordinance. It will take a second reading to make it official. The ordinance went through one more change tonight. The fee for animals that have been spayed or neutered has been dropped to $6.00 an animal, down from $25.00 for those who have not been spayed or neutered. The plan requires cat owners to license their pets. People who have multiple animals would also have to get a special permit. Animal control officers tell us for breeders, this law would allow officers to come into your home or property and inspect it for sanitation and safety. Monday’s meeting begins at 5:30 pm at Spartanburg City Council Chambers on 145 West Broad Street. Read the complete ordinance in pdf form here. UPDATE: (9/15/08) - The proposal has been altered significantly to reflect the desires of the people, and plenty of time has been allowed for various and sundry arguments to be brought to light. The tethering restriction is not in the ordinance that was approved on first reading. The changes first brought before council also included steep increases in pet licensing fees, up to $10 annually for spayed animals and $40 each year for fertile animals. The current version does not include the increase. Cat owners are now required to license their pets and provide proof of vaccination to the city. Owners of six or more cats or dogs aged four months or older must obtain a multiple-animal permit, and code enforcement officers can inspect such owners' homes, upon 24 hours notice, if they receive complaints. Council will vote on second and final reading of this ordinance Sept. 22, and at that same meeting, before the vote is taken, the public will be given one more chance to comment.

Rock Hill - (9/14/08) - In the coming weeks, the county plans to hold a workshop where staff members will outline plans for updating the county's animal policies, which they say are outdated because of the county's explosive growth. No specific changes have been recommended, but officials expect to analyze everything from vaccination requirements to animal control fees. They also plan to look at a tethering policy. Leaders plan to look at what other growing counties have done, while trying to gauge their future needs.

York County - (8/19/08) - Monday night, (8/18/08) the York County Council heard a presentation from animal rights activists pushing to strengthen laws against animal abuse and neglect. Several animal rights groups joined together to encourage council leaders to ban dog tethering. They're pointing out similar laws from other counties where chaining dogs is now illegal. York County Council members were presented with a plan to ban dog tethering and require dog owners to build a fence, a kennel or install a runner line that allows dogs more freedom and movement. Council chairman Buddy Motz said it's a complex, often passionate issue, but there's good points on both sides of it. "We're getting a lot of e-mails, correspondence and data saying that you should tether dogs, and some that you should not tether dogs," Motz said.

SOUTH DAKOTA

Brookings - (9/13/08) - Brookings city councilors have decided that citizens here cannot keep more than six pets in their residences at one time. Its creators say the pet limit is a new tool to help authorities deal with animal-related complaints approved by city councilors on Tuesday. The recently passed Ordinance No. 32-08 makes it unlawful for any person or caretaker to have or keep more than six domestic pets over the age of 4 months (except birds and fish) on any lot or premises in the city. The number of animals within households would be evaluated on a by-complaint basis. The new ordinance will be helpful when city officials get complaints about barking dogs or a strong smell of animal feces at a residence. Another complaint the department has dealt with is a high number of "at-large" cats in one neighborhood , allowed to roam free, defecate in sandboxes, yards and gardens and get into garbage cans. The new ordinance also: - Makes it an offense to keep stray animals - Makes it an offense to leave pets unattended in vehicle in a manner that endangers the health of the animal - Makes it a requirement for animals in vehicles that are parked in public areas to be confined to the vehicle. The ordinance includes a new section that deals with vicious or biting dogs. Once a pet has been declared a biting, dangerous or vicious animal by officials, the owner will have to register it with the city as such and follow certain regulations, like reporting how and where it's kept and its health and ownership status.

Sturgis - City Council will address pitbills at a future meeting. Sturgis resident Russell Keeton is urging members to approve an ordinance that would help to protect citizens from pit bulls. Keeton feels the city should require pit bull owners to register the animals, keep liability insurance on them, and keep the animals restrained at all times. City Manager David Boone said an ordinance has been prepared and will be presented for the council's consideration during the Sept. 15 regular city council meeting. UPDATE: (9/12/08) - According to Sturgis’ top police officer, an ordinance the Sturgis City Council will address on Monday is not an attempt to completely ban pit bulls from Sturgis streets. Instead, Sturgis Police Chief Jim Bush said the ordinance will protect not only the community’s residents, but the dogs themselves. The Sturgis City Council meets at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 15. ***SPECIAL ALERT sent 9/15/08***

TEXAS

Edinburg - Hidalgo County - (9/13/08) - Pitbulls and their vicious attacks have become a "serious problem" in Hidalgo County. Justice of the Peace Charlie Espinoza said he believes the government needs further control over pit bulls so they cannot attack innocent bystanders or children."I would like to get some kind of serious ordinance or legislation or anything we might get," he told the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court on Tuesday. Espinoza said he and other county leaders, together with other justices of the peace, would sit down in the coming weeks to consider drafting a resolution to lobby the state to impose even greater restrictions on pit bulls and vicious dogs.

Henderson - Rusk County - (8/20/08) - Rusk County Judge Sandra Hodges said the county does have the authority to create a leash law for county subdivisions and unincorporated communities. Hodges spoke Monday night ((8/18/08) to a group of about 50 residents — many from the Elderville subdivisions of Airport Gardens and Ranchette — who packed the county commissioners' courtroom to voice their opinions about a county leash law. Hodges said residents from affected communities can petition county commissioners for a leash law in their area. Fines and specific provisions for the leash law have not been developed, but Hodges said a committee is being formed to consider a law in the Airport Gardens and Ranchette community.

Killeen - (8/20/08) - Animal control has been a hot topic for the city in recent months, and the item will be on the agenda once again at the council's workshop today. Members of the Killeen City Council are scheduled for a busy day as three committees are scheduled to meet throughout today in addition to the 5 p.m. council workshop. The city's animal control ordinance is on the agenda. In addition to the animal control ordinance, the council will be discussing a request to be removed from Killeen's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). Councilman Larry Cole said the city is anxiously looking for a workable solution. "The vicious dogs – we've got to find a solution to that. "We're getting weekly complaints from citizens that they can't walk their neighborhood without getting accosted by some large dog. We have to find a way to make the owners more accountable."

San Angelo - (8/20/08) - The San Angelo City Council has decided that now is not the time to decide whether City Hall should regulate how many dogs an owner can keep. The proposed ordinance called for limiting owners to no more than six dogs, prohibiting animal rescuers from taking in more than nine dogs and requiring owners whose dogs have puppies to find new owners within 12 weeks. After listening to the residents, District 6 Councilwoman Charlotte Farmer withdrew her earlier motion to approve the proposed ordinance. Instead, she requested the animal services board look into other ordinances that require spaying or neutering pets and having people register as breeders if their animals reproduce. She kept the option of limiting the number of dogs open.

UTAH

No Report

VERMONT

Clarendon - (9/1/08) - Officials recently spent more than two hours at a workshop reviewing and amending a draft ordinance for the control of nuisance domestic animals. Health and safety issues, property damage and nuisance claims are among neighbors' concerns. The town has decided to use Mendon's animal control ordinance as a guide with some amendments. The board is expected to further review the document at an upcoming meeting.

VIRGINIA

Hampton - City Council considers permits for "hybrids". The ordinance would require the owner of a hybrid canine to apply for a special permit. A hybrid is a crossbreed of a dog and any other canine species, such as a wolf. The proposal, which will be discussed at Wednesday's Hampton City Council meeting (09/09/08) , would limit residents to owning no more than two hybrid dogs at any time. Each dog would be required to have a separate permit. In addition, the animal would have to be muzzled and kept under control of a "competent adult handler, on a leash, rope or chain whenever it is not on the property of its owner," according to city documents. ***Special Alert sent 09/06/08 ***

WASHINGTON

Bingen - (8/21/08) - Considering banning pit bulls. Public hearing September 2, 2008.

Seattle - (9/8/08) - Rumblings of a Seattle-wide ban on pit bulls have "bully breed" owners preparing for a political dogfight. Anti-pit bull activists in Seattle floated a package of proposals, including a breed ban, to City Councilman Tim Burgess earlier this year. The council opted not to pursue the proposal for now, but the action has sparked an organizing effort by dog owners concerned that the city will move against the much-maligned breed. The proposal would force pit bull owners to register their dogs and ban new pit bulls from the city. Similar bans have been enacted in other Western Washington cities, including Enumclaw, in an effort to reduce dog attacks. Responding to the effort, a handful of pit bull owners have created an interest group of their own, Families Against Breed Bans, and are sponsoring events aimed at defeating any future ban.

Spokane - (9/11/08) - A group of concerned citizens are pushing for a Spokane city ordinance banning pit bulls from Spokane. There has been a lot of controversy and reaction, but would banning pit bulls even make a difference? Spokane's city council says it's researching state law and city code before making any decision. A group is also circulating a petition around town against the ban.

WEST VIRGINIA

Charles Town - Mayor Peggy Smith told Charles Town City Council members Tuesday night (09/02/08) a law prohibiting dangerous and vicious animals but the law has weaknesses, including a lack of penalties for keeping such animals. Smith wants the council’s ordinance review committee will review the vicious dog law.

Martinsville - (8/9/08) - Martinsville City Council heard concerns from Southside area residents about dogs during a community meeting Tuesday evening. Residents are concerned with animal issues and dogs getting loose in the neighborhood and a problem with people chaining dogs in their backyards. Residents stated that they bark more and get meaner when they are chained up. A request was also made for the city to require pets to be spayed or neutered to cut down on animal overpopulation. City Attorney Eric Monday said he is not sure if the city has legislative authority for a spay/neuter ordinance. He also said there is a limit on how many dogs a person is allowed to have adjacent to a residential structure in the city. Monday was not sure of the number at the meeting but will be looking into it. Council member Gene Teague wants council to look at the issue of dogs because four pit bulls seems like a lot and some houses have more then that in their yards. Another request was made to enact a limit on the number of vicious dogs or make owners carry a certain amount of liability insurance. Monday said the General Assembly has consistently declined to declare specific breeds of dogs as vicious and a dog essentially has to attack somebody before it's considered vicious. Another resident added that cats are a problem in the neighborhood.Another comment was made regarding dogs keeping residents awake at night with their barking and also asked what could be done about the odor from dogs.

WISCONSIN

Baraboo - Council considers revising pet policy whether local residents should be able to have more than two dogs or two cats sparked a Baraboo committee's appeal for public comments on the issue. Sauk County Humane Society Animal Control Officer Justin Huelsemann suggested allowing a maximum of four animals per household, with any combination of dogs and cats. Chairman Gene Robkin encouraged the public to send comments to city officials so the committee can look them over and continue discussion about changing the rules at a later meeting.

Clintonville - (9/11/08) - Residents making a stink about messy dog-walkers will get help from the local police. The Common Council picked up on the subject at this week's meeting in the Waupaca County community. It's illegal to walk a dog in the city and not pick up after the pet. Anyone seeing someone not cleaning up after their dog was asked to report it to the police department. According to the city ordinance, a warning is issued for a first violation. After that, a violation carries a fine of $109.

WYOMING

No Report

OTHER COUNTRIES OF INTEREST

AUSTRALIA

(8/24/08) - THE State Government is pressing racing authorities to stop the industry from killing thousands of greyhounds and racehorses deemed too slow or too old to race.
Racing Minister Rob Hulls told The Sunday Age he expected the industry to focus on animal welfare after a report by retired County Court judge Gordon Lewis raised concerns about treatment of unwanted horses and greyhounds. Judge Lewis believed the issue was so important he went outside the terms of reference in his inquiry into the integrity of the state's three racing codes to condemn the practice of culling animals that could not win races.
The judge estimated that of the more than 7500 greyhounds born each year in Victoria, only 1000 would not be destroyed as young dogs. Most would be put down because they were too slow to race. He had no doubt "similar problems exist with the welfare of horses". Judge Lewis called for further investigation.

Wollongong - (9/10/08) - Sumo the Alaskan malamute attacked and killed a free-range chook but his owner does not believe it makes him a danger to the community. Figtree's Walter Duran is set to fight for his dog's reputation by appealing a Wollongong City Council decision to categorise him a dangerous dog. "He did wrong but it wasn't serious enough to put him in a muzzle - that would kill him," Mr Duran said. He pleaded guilty in Wollongong Local Court yesterday to being an owner of a dog which attacked another animal. It was alleged Sumo on April 24 this year got out of his yard and attacked and killed a chicken in the yard in Mary Ave, Figtree. The chicken owner restrained the dog to a tree until Mr Duran arrived, the court heard.
Since the attack, Sumo has been declared a dangerous dog, which imposes a number of conditions on ownership, including the need to muzzle the dog in public and house the dog in a metal enclosure in the back yard. Magistrate Paul Johnson fined Mr Duran $100 considerably less than the $550 local government fine. Mr Duran was happy with the result but still wants to appeal the dangerous dog classification. "I admitted in court that Sumo did the deed, but he has never touched a human and gets on great with kids," Mr Duran said. "I think the classification is an over-reaction.

BAHRAIN

(8/21/08) - AUTHORITIES have admitted they are powerless to stop exotic pets being smuggled into Bahrain until the country's animal trade laws are overhauled. Wild animals such as cheetahs are being illegally brought into the country, where animal rights activists say they are exploited and subjected to horrific conditions. Sources have claimed some smugglers hide cheetah cubs in special compartments underneath exotic bird shipments from Johannesburg, while others pass them off as kittens. Crocodiles are allegedly imported when they are only a few inches long, hidden underneath bags of tropical fish. However, Bahrain is one of just 22 countries that have still not signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) - an international trade agreement aimed at eliminating the import of exotic animals.
Animal lovers are now concerned over the amount of illegal exotic animals entering the country and contributing to the multi-billion dollar trade. They are also aggrieved that authorities are not taking action against exotic animal owners. But Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife vice-president Dr Ismail Al Madani said there was no law against wild animals being sold or bred once they enter the country. He added the government could not seize exotic animals from owners with proper documentation. The GDN has visited one farm in Bahrain where a caged cheetah, a hyena and other animals such as reindeer are being openly kept. However, animal wealth director and quarantine officer Dr Salman Abdulnabi Ibrahim confirmed that no cheetah or hyena had gone through quarantine in the past five years. "The very fact that wild animals are being tied to chains in the heat is appalling," said Bahrain Society for the Protection of Animals (BSPCA) committee member Tony Waters. "Something has to be done by the government to educate people to stop treating animals like that.

CANADA

Nanaimo - (8/22/08) - Licensing breeders could help the SPCA crack down on puppy mills, says the officer who investigated a Nanaimo breeder who allegedly failed to properly treat 14 sick cats in his care. New changes to animal cruelty laws in B.C. allowed Tina Heary to compel the breeder to get care for the cats, and when he didn't, he handed them over to the SPCA. Heary now says municipalities should make licensing mandatory for breeders to ensure regular inspection of the animals' living conditions. While many legitimate breeders supply healthy animals to good homes, Heary said it's difficult controlling the few who give animal breeders a bad name.
She proposes a bylaw requiring breeders to provide a permit number to do business. Failure to do so would spark a visit from a bylaw control officer, and the SPCA could be brought in if the breeder is found to be violating standards of care. "If people are required to have a breeding licence then any type of advertising they do would need to display their permit number," Heary said. Regulation would only affect reputable breeders, said Walter Brown, who has been breeding Labrador retrievers at Casadelora Kennel in Cedar for 35 years. "It's like gun control," Brown said. "It's backyard breeders and puppy mills causing the problems and you have no way of getting them."

NEW ZEALAND

Auckland - (8/19/08) - An Auckland dog owner is up in arms after animal control officers broke into his fenced backyard and took his dog. The family pet was seized because its registration had expired but the owner believes the council overreacted. Jamie Broderick, the dog owner, says he had no idea Animal Control could seize your pet pooch just because of an expired registration. Animal control officers seized the family pet Stanley from the back yard while he was out. "We were essentially 18 days overdue and it seems like a really radical step," says Broderick. Animal Control actually went to great lengths to capture the dog. They came down the side of the property and reaching the gate, which is locked from the inside, neighbours said they then jumped the fence and dragged Stanley away.

TAIWAN

Taipei - (9/13/08) - The nation’s only round-the-clock animal rescue service may come to a halt next month owing to a shortage of funds, dealing another blow to the country’s underfinanced efforts to care for stray animals.“The growing number of rescue cases referred by the central government and the Taipei City Government and a fall-off in public donations in recent months have made it difficult to continue the service,” said Tiger Tung (董冠富), chief executive of the Taipei-based Life Caring and Animal Rescue Organization Taiwan (LCO). If the rescue service comes to an end next month, under existing law, cats or dogs saved by government workers such as firefighters will be killed if no one adopts them within seven days.

UNITED KINGDOM

Croydon - (8/16/08) - Laws giving extra powers to councils to control dogs could be used in Croydon to nip aggressive behaviour encouraged by their owners in the bud. Cllr Steve O'Connell, the council's cabinet member for safety and cohesion, is concerned about "an emerging problem" across London in which mainly youngsters are using dogs to intimidate people. And while Cllr O'Connell says he is not aware of a particular problem in Croydon he wants to look at ways of taking preemptive action to stop it occurring here. The council is likely to examine powers it has to issue dog control orders and it is expected a report on policy options will be issued in the autumn. The orders can be used to take action on a range of issues ranging from dog fouling to keeping dogs under control. Under the orders councils can ban dogs from specific areas like parks and limit the number of dogs allowed onto a piece of land at any one time. Cllr O'Connell said he needed to study the powers available and take advice before coming to any conclusion about how to use them.

AND, as always, for your entertainment, some Crazy Animal Laws ! (After all the other stuff, you could USE a laugh !)

• Bear wrestling matches are prohibited in Alabama

• It is considered an offense in Alaska to push a live moose out of a moving airplane.

• Donkeys cannot sleep in bathtubs in Arizona

• Alligators may not be kept in bathtub in Arkansas

• In Hollywood California, it is illegal to drive more than two thousand sheep down Hollywood Boulevard at one time.

• In Sterling, Colorado, cats may not run loose without having been fit with a taillight.

• In Connecticut, any dogs with tattoos must be reported to the police.

• If an elephant is left tied to a parking meter in Florida, the parking fee has to be paid just as it would for a vehicle.

• In Quitman Georgia, it is illegal for a chicken to cross the road.

• In Boise Idaho, residents may not fish from a giraffe's back.

and our very favorite in this pile is:

• It is against the law for a monster to enter the corporate limits of Urbana, Illinois.

Part II of "the Report" - August 18, 2008

2008-08-06T15:33:00.040-04:00

FEDERAL

The U.S. District Court, District of Columbia, ordered the Department of Agriculture to suspend its plan to identify and document every animal in the U.S. The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) was to have beenfully implemented by June 9, 2009. It is now on hold indefinitely. The ruling came as a result of a lawsuit. Opponents believe it would lead to more government regulation and less personal freedom. NAIS was never legitimized by Congress. USDA just proceeded to shove it down an unwilling publics throat. Several state cattlemens associations have also accused USDA of registering premises without the consent of the owners, helping themselves to states agriculture databases and harassing young 4-H kids. These groups have formally requested leaders of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to stop NAIS and hold oversight hearings on USDAs movements. The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund filed suit July 14, 2008, inthe same federal district court (with the same judge presiding that suspended NAIS in June) to stop USDA and the Michigan Department of Agriculture to cease and desist any further implementation of NAIS. The suit also charges USDA has never published NAIS rules, a violation of the Federal Administrative Procedures Act, has never performed an Environmental Impact Statement or Assessment and is in violation of religious freedoms guaranteed by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Increasingly, federal and state bureaucracies are blatantly trying toforce unpalatable programs on citizens without bothering to follow the laws. This victory should be a reminder to the higher-ups that this is a nation of citizens, not subjects.

STATES - IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

ALABAMA

Mongomery - (8/6/08) - With one of the nation's weakest laws against cockfighting - which in Alabama has a maximum punishment of a $50 fine - the state attorney general is pushing to strengthen the law with prison sentences. Attorney General Troy King said he and the Humane Society of the United States will encourage the Legislature in February to make the law more severe. "Animal fighting is a horribly cruel practice and anyone who participates in it should pay a price for their crime," King said at a news conference Wednesday at the Statehouse.
Mindy Gilbert, the society's Alabama director, said the society rates Alabama's cockfighting law as the nation's weakest because the $50 fine is the maximum punishment. That fine hasn't been increased since the law was passed in 1896. Despite that, at least Alabama has such a law - the practice is still legal in Louisiana, which will become the last state in the country to outlaw cockfighting on Aug. 15. It has been illegal since last year to gamble on cockfights in Louisiana.
King said he would like to make the cockfighting law similar to Alabama's dogfighting law, which provides up to 10 years in prison for people who organize and attend dogfights. Gilbert said the society ranks that law as one of the nation's third toughest. During the news conference, the society announced that it will provide $5,000 rewards for information that leads to arrests and convictions for illegal animal fighting.

Scottsboro - (8/7/08) - City Attorney Steve Kennamer said at Scottsboro's city council work session Monday (8/4/08) that he has drafted up a proposal to make changes in the current animal ordinance. The council is expected to vote on the proposal at next week's regular meeting. Kennamer said he drafted the proposal after meeting with council members Josephine Smith and Matthew Hodges and Police Chief Ralph Dawe, a committee formed by Council President Keith Smith back in May. Josephine Smith first brought it to the council's attention that several residents were complaining about dogs running wild in neighborhoods. A dog in a commercial area or hunting will not be required to be on a leash as long as it remains under verbal control, Kennamer said. Kennamer said another change in the ordinance will require pet owners to obtain a tag or license for their pets so many days after the pet has had its rabies shots."There are minor changes throughout the ordinance," Kennamer added.

ARIZONA

Pima County - (8/6/08) - An investigation is underway after three dogs died in the hands of Pima County Animal Care. Animal Control was responding to a residence on the East Side Saturday, after getting calls for dogs on the loose. Once at the home, animal control decided to take five dogs into custody, citing welfare concerns. After talking to the owner at the scene, they decided to give the dogs back. When animal control employees opened a van, to let three of the dogs out, they were dead. It's a day Cynthia Matthews and her family won't soon forget.
Three of her dogs, including a foster dog and two of her own, died in a Pima Animal Care Van. Pima Animal Care officials say they've turned the investigation over to the Tucson Police Department.

Tucson - (8/5/08) - Humane Society Seminar - The Humane Society of Southern Arizona will hold a seminar to inform residents about state and local laws regarding animals on Friday, September 26. “Animal Law For Laypeople” will educate pet owners about little-known laws, explain how a case is investigated, tried and prosecuted, and explain how pets can be protected from harm. According to the Humane Society, lack of knowledge often leads to a violation of a law. Examples include the fact that it’s illegal to chain a dog in your backyard in Tucson and Pima County, and that you are required to remove animal waste from your backyard every 24 hours. The seminar costs $10 with pre-registration required, and will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Companions for Life Center at 3456 East Kleindale Road. More information is available at the link.

ARKANSAS

Greenwood - (8/5/08) - The Greenwood City Council tabled indefinitely a controversial proposed animal control ordinance Monday, choosing instead to schedule a study meeting on the issue for next week.The study meeting will be 6 p.m. Aug. 11 in City Hall, Mayor Kenneth Edwards said. It will include the Council, City Attorney Mike Hamby, two area veterinarians and possibly a woman who was mauled by a pit bull last week on Denver Street, Edwards said. To an audience member who asked if it would be a public meeting, the mayor said yes. Meeting attendance Monday was standing room only, with attendees spilling out of the council chamber into the lobby area. Opposition at the meeting included dismay at the draft-proposed limit of four dogs and/or cats per household; disagreement with the proposed livestock prohibitions within city limits; the banning only of pit bull breeds and dismay at the detailed requirements for pet care.Some news coverage took the process out of context, Edwards insisted.“We don’t care how many animals you have. If the Humane Society doesn’t care, we don’t care. We don’t care if you have chickens in your yard,” Edwards said.Edwards said the city would start over from scratch at the study meeting.

Little Rock - (8/5/08) - Support is strong among legislators for making cruelty against animals a felony in Arkansas, Gov. Mike Beebe said Friday. Beebe made the comment on his monthly call-in radio program "As the Governor" on the Arkansas Radio Network. A caller to the program urged Beebe to "start a fire" under legislators to get a felony animal cruelty law passed in 2009. Two bills that would have made some acts against animals a felony failed in the Legislature in 2007."I'm not sure it's going to be necessary this time to build a fire under them," Beebe said. "I think the pressure is mounting to the point that there is a greater degree of support in the Legislature."Beebe did not site a specific measure he would support, but he predicted that some type of animal cruelty legislation will become law. State Sen. Sue Madison, D-Fayetteville, and Attorney General Dustin McDaniel have said they are working separately on animal cruelty measures for next year's legislative session.

Malvern - (8/11/08) - A public hearing was held Aug. 11 at the City Hall Courtroom to discuss the proposed banning of pit bulldogs from the Malvern city limits. The hearing was called to order by Mayor Steve Northcutt. Concerned citizens had five minutes to discuss the ordinance.After the citizens were all allowed to speak, a short question and answer session was allowed for the Aldermen. Alderman C.E. West asked the Pit Bull owners if they were willing to take out $100,000 libility insurance on their Pit Bulls. The response from the owners present was that once again, there was the issue of targeting Pit Bull dogs and not all vicious dogs, such as Rottweilers and Doberman Pinchers. Gay Birch stated, “We can pass all the laws we want but they need to be enforced. We need to enforce the ones that we already have and maybe we won’t need the new one.” After everyone had a chance to speak, Northcutt allowed each speaker the option to speak for one additional minute. Northcutt stated that he would appoint a committee consisting of the Council members and of volunteers to address this issue.

CALIFORNIA

USDA SUED OVER FARM ANIMAL RIGHTS BALLOT MEASURE - PROP 2 (8/15/08)

Backers of a farm animal rights measure on California's November ballot have sued agriculture officials, saying they illegally approved $3 million in spending by an egg board to defeat the measure. The federal lawsuit, filed Wednesday by Californians for Humane Farms, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the $3 million in spending by the federally supervised American Egg Board, an egg producers' trade group, despite a law prohibiting the board from using funds to influence government policy. The measure, Proposition 2 on the Nov. 4 ballot, takes aim at so-called "factory farms" and would be the most comprehensive farm animal rights law in the country, its supporters say. The law would ban cramped metal cages for egg-laying hens, metal gestation crates for pregnant sows and veal crates for lambs — industry standards that confine animals so that they can barely move. But a recent UC Davis study said that if the measure passes, the state's $330-million egg industry will be so heavily restricted it would face "almost complete annihilation."

AB815 - the state is solely responsible for the regulation of hunting and fishing, not local authorities. The legislation would prevent the possibility of local governments placing unreasonable restrictions and outright bans on hunters and anglers. It also prevents sportsmen from becoming victims of a patchwork of differing fish and game laws that could change from one township to the next making it impossible to know what's legal and what's not. PASSED 08/11/08

AB1634 -The new AB 1634, which makes spayed and neutered pets the status quo, with no exceptions, no due process and no protection from harassing neighbors or vindictive civil servants, was amended yesterday without addressing the state’s Department of Finance objections that the increase in shelter population and shelter killing forced spay-neuter laws bring would cost the state money. If you’re a California resident, call and fax your state Senator today to tell him or her that you don’t want more pets to die, and especially not on your tab. Forced spay-neuter regulations have increased shelter populations and shelter killings everywhere they’ve been tried, as people who can’t afford either spay-neuter or fines dump their animals and get new ones from people who ignore the law or are outside the jurisdiction — or are exempted, as in the case of ”licensed breeders” — a/k/a puppy mills — and their Internet or retail outlets. Instead, we get more legislation that kills more pets, at tax payer expense. And, as a bonus, we lay the groundwork for the destruction of our heritage breeds and allow the government one more area of control over our lives, by making them the decision-makers for what should be an informed decision by a pet-owner after a discussion with a veterinarian.
Call. Fax. This is bad public policy. Speak up and stop it. 8/18/08 (Monday) UPDATE: Today's Senate Floor Session is in recess until 2pm. The Democrats are currently in caucus. At the opening of today's session, Sen. Perata informed us that because there are a number of members that are delayed in transit, measures at this time would be "on call." Prior to the recess, the Senate Floor Session was on File Item #328 followed by three Senate Resolutions (taken up by Wyland). AB1634 is File Item #340 today.

AB2999 - (8/5/08) -A bill sponsored by Marin Assemblyman Jared Huffman and now signed into law aims to put a halt to roadkill dumping grounds such as those discovered in Sausalito and other parts of the Bay Area last fall. In violation of the California Department of Transportation's own policy, some road crew members disposed of carcasses in remote sites apparently to save time rather than drive to a rendering plant or an animal shelter. Under AB 2999 - which was signed into law last week by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger - Caltrans must:
- Develop procedures for the removal and disposal of animal carcasses.
- Notify owners of domestic animals that are killed on the roadway.
- Dispose of animal carcasses more than 150 feet away from waterways or drainage ways.
- Keep a record of disposal sites.
"We are pleased with this," said Huffman, D-San Rafael, chairman of the Assembly's Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. "It mandates the proper handling and prevents the dumping we saw." In Sausalito, a site near Rodeo Avenue that was used for deer that had been hit and killed on Highway 101 was discovered last October. About 20 to 25 carcasses were at the site in various states of decay. The practice raised anger from Huffman and others who termed the sites rogue "pet cemeteries" and voiced concern about the pathogens and disease that can come from rotting carcasses dumped near creeks or other waterways. Caltrans had guidelines for dealing with dead animals, but Huffman said they were ignored for years in some instances.

Kern County - (8/15/08) - Kern County is struggling to deal with people who keep large numbers of animals on their rural county land. Debate about solutions will start Wednesday (8/20/08) at a meeting of the Kern County Animal Control Commission. Without constant diligence and care, animals living in rescue shelters, kennels and breeding operations can suffer from illness, injury, starvation and death. County Resource Management Director David Price III said the county’s relaxed enforcement stance isn’t cutting it. Price has drafted an ordinance that would require operators of commercial and non-commercial “animal facilities” to obtain a permit and submit to annual inspections. Permit holders would be exempt from individual dog licensing. But it would give animal control officers the right to inspect the operation once a year — or if there is a complaint of improper behavior against the operator. “Who knows how many more are out there, that’s what keeps me awake at night,” Price said. The ordinance also outlines fees for redeeming animals from Kern County Animal Control. The fees are sharply higher if the animals have not been spayed or neutered. Commissioners will struggle with the issues in the new ordinance, revise it and send it to the Board of Supervisors for approval.

Manteca - (8/15/08) - The Manteca City Council may no longer assume pit bull owners will act responsible. That's why on Monday (8/18/08) they are entertaining a municipal ordinance that would make spaying and neutering of pit bull breeds mandatory in the City of Manteca with one exception - for breeding under strict conditions that require a city issued permit. The result is an exhaustive eight-page ordinance that lays out how the city can demand the neutering and spaying of pit bulls that are within the city limits. California law prohibits local ordinances from placing a ban on specific breeds. It does, though, allow breeds to be regulated including requiring them to be spayed and neutered. Highlights include:

• Pit bull refers to any dog that is a Bull Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or any other dog displaying the physical traits of any one or more of the previously mentioned breeds or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics that conform to specific standards established by the American Kennel Club or the United Kennel Club for any of the listed breeds.

• Owners unsure whether their dog is a pit bull that requires neutering or spaying, can make an appointment with the Police Department for a staff member to make a determination. There is an appeal provision.

• The only reasons a person may have a pit bull that isn't fixed include the pit bull being under eight weeks of age, if there is a high degree of suffering serious bodily harm or death due a physical abnormality based on a veterinarian certification who must also say when the operation can take place, the pit bull has been in the city less than 30 days, the owner has obtained or submitted an application for a breeding permit, the pit bull is a show dog but must include proper registration papers, or if the pit bull's status is under appeal.

• The first violation may result in the department impounding the pit bull and disposing of the pit bull in accordance with municipal ordinances or the owner may reclaim it by paying fees including the department's cost of having a veterinarian spay or neuter the dog. The owner will be required to make a $100 deposit and then cover the balance of the actual bill before reclaiming ownership.

• The second violation is a misdemeanor publishable by imprisonment in county jail for a period not to exceed six months or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both. The second violation may result in impounding and destroying the pit bull.

• Breeding permit application fees are $100 and come with a list of stringent rules that must be followed.

San Francisco - (8/8/08) - San Francisco supervisors will decide next month whether to turn the city's zoo into a facility for rescued animals, a move that could cost the public park its accreditation, after a supervisors' committee decided today to send the matter to the full board.
The action to move the measure forward was praised by animal-welfare advocates who have long pushed for more oversight of the San Francisco Zoo. But zoo officials warned that the legislation would stymie their fundraising abilities and all but kill the institution. Supervisor Chris Daly proposed the measure six months after a tiger escaped from its compound at the zoo Dec. 25. Daly and Supervisor Tom Ammiano voted to move the measure forward, without recommendation, while Supervisor Bevan Dufty opposed the move. The measure would make animal welfare a priority at the zoo, and require that any future acquisitions be rescued animals, including those that were abused or those confiscated by law enforcement authorities after being illegally owned or imported. It also would bar the zoo from acquiring new animals "unless the needs of all animals currently at the zoo have been met," and would create an oversight body that reports to the Board of Supervisors. Some breeding programs for endangered animals would be allowed to continue. Thursday's action after a three-hour debate came three weeks after another contentious hearing that ended with commitments from both sides - zoo officials and city leaders, who oppose the legislation, and advocates who helped draft the measure - to work toward a compromise. On Thursday, Deniz Bolbol of In Defense of Animals, an animal rights group, called the committee's vote "a good first step." Zoo officials and many volunteers have been outspoken in their opposition to the legislation, pointing out that 100 of the facility's more than 700 animals were rescued from various situations and warning that passage of the measure could cause the zoo to lose its accreditation from the powerful Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Santa Barbara - (8/7/08) - Spay/Neuter Panel Planned - Finding volunteers to sit on a Spay/Neuter Task Force in Santa Barbara has hit a slight snag, but soon will be implemented.
“It was the Gap fire,” said William Boyer, County Communications Director. The board of supervisors issued a call for volunteers to serve on a newly created Spay/Neuter Task Force, with an original deadline of July 25. The Gap Fire interfered with the deadline, so now the supervisors are just beginning to evaluate the applicants, Boyer said. A decision on who will be appointed is expected sometime in September, Boyer said. The 11-member task force will help address the problem of pet overpopulation. Those selected will be empanelled for three to five months and will meet on a biweekly basis. Members will meet in various parts of the county, and will also tour animal shelters. Its mission is to draft an ordinance on pet overpopulation and present it to the supervisors for consideration.

FLORIDA

Benton - (8/9/08) - Benton is proposing the city adopt the same language as in the county ordinance regarding differential licensing.

Brevard County - (8/9/08) - Cats are getting spayed and neutered by the dozen in Brevard County. A Space Coast group, pushing Brevard Animal Services to make its shelters no-kill, said this is the first step. This fall, volunteers will take their no-kill proposal to the county.

Ft. Pierce - (8/5/08) - Commissioners will move forward with a proposal that cracks down on pet owners who don't spay or neuter their animals. The commission will hear from the public at a meeting in September. Pet owners in city limits currently pay $15 a year for a license if their animal is not spayed or neutered. That fee would increase to $75 if the plan is approved.
Owners whose pets are spayed or neutered would pay $10 annually or a one time $25 fee that's good for the lifetime of the animal. St. Lucie County adopted the tougher licensing laws last year. Commissioners hope the fees will encourage pet owners to get their animals spayed or neutered and reduce the population of unwanted pets. Money raised from the fees funds the free spaying and neutering services offered by the St. Lucie County Humane Society. UPDATE: (8/9/08) -Last week, Fort Pierce Mayor Bob Benton, who has been advocating the licensing program in the city for the past year, got the go-ahead to conduct a public hearing on the program, probably in September. Critics — and there likely will be many — will claim the licensing program is just another attempt by the city to raise revenue following the passage of Amendment 1 earlier this year. However, discussion began long before passage of that tax reduction measure. It's just more government intrusion in personal decisions, some critics may claim. But, those personal decisions by irresponsible pet owners are costing other taxpayers a lot of money. As Fort Pierce moves toward adoption of the new program, Port St. Lucie should, also, to make the program truly countywide.

Land O'Lakes - (8/8/08) - Land O'Lakes, Florida - Raymond Griggs got his companion Ginger, a Shar-Pei Hound, after a heart attack eight years ago. But Griggs admits Ginger accidentally got out recently and barked at a man with a dog on the sidewalk. He heard it was the Suncoast Meadows Homeowner's Association President. "And he didn't like it and that's what started the whole problem," said Griggs. In an e-mail to the homeowner's association property manager, Griggs apologized for the incident. She wrote back, please make sure your dog doesn't get out without a leash in the future. But then four days later, the property manager sent Griggs a letter ordering him to remove the dangerous dog from his home within 48 hours.
Homeowners Association President Gil Livingstone refused an on-camera interview but says the 48-hour notice was a mistake. So Griggs will get another letter saying he has two weeks to make sure it doesn't happen again. But as both Griggs and the homeowner's association president gave us different accounts of the confrontation with a barking dog, we wondered, is it a case of mistaken identity? Pasco County Animal Services is also looking into the matter.

Madeira Beach - (8/9/08) - Many municipalities in Pinellas County limit the number of household cats or dogs, but commissioners here want to take this beach city off that list.
"People do not understand why there have to be restrictions on the number of animals in their homes," Commissioner Sarah Nichols said at Tuesday's workshop session. Currently, the city prohibits residents from having more than four dogs or four cats. Unincorporated Pinellas County, Belleair Beach, Belleair Shore, Indian Shores, Seminole and Treasure Island do not limit the number of cats and dogs that can be kept in a home. Other cities south of Ulmerton either have specific restrictions or limit the number of pets through kennel regulations.
Nichols said this creates a hardship for families. She said the city could eliminate the restrictions on pets and still keep all other safety, noise and nuisance rules governing dogs and cats.
Nichols told the commission that Pinellas County Animal Control euthanizes most animals in its care. "I think it is a pretty neat idea. People should be able to have as many pets as they want," Mayor Pat Shontz said. But some residents were not so enthralled. In the end, the commission directed its attorney to draft a revised ordinance removing the restriction on the number of pets in residential areas. The commission will have to vote twice on the issue before it can go into effect. No date was set for those votes.

Limit Restrictions at a glance:

GULFPORT: Prohibits kennels, defined as having three or more dogs (no mention of cats), in residential zoning districts. No animal sales, grooming or boarding in residential areas.

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH: No restrictions on number of pets, but kennels are prohibited in homes. Kennels are defined as a place housing more than three dogs. Household pets may have litters as long as the breeding is not a "business enterprise."

INDIAN SHORES: No restrictions on number of pets in homes.

MADEIRA BEACH: Prohibits keeping more than four dogs or four cats at any one residential unit.

PINELLAS COUNTY: No restrictions on number of pets in homes. Zoning regulations prohibit kennels in residential areas. Kennels are defined as "the business of boarding, breeding, buying, letting for hire or training for a fee dogs or cats."

PINELLAS PARK: Restricts number of cats and dogs by prohibiting kennels in residential districts. Kennels are defined as where more than five adult domestic animals such as dogs or cats are raised, bred, boarded or groomed.

SEMINOLE: No restrictions on number of pets in homes, but commercial kennels, defined as where domestic animals are bred, boarded, sold or treated for profit or public service, are prohibited in residential districts.

SOUTH PASADENA: Prohibits more than four dogs or four cats more than 3 months old in a residential unit. Pet dealers are prohibited in residential districts.

ST. PETE BEACH: No restrictions on number of pets in homes except by prohibition of kennels, defined as raising, breeding, boarding or grooming more than five domestic animals, or keeping more than five adult dogs or 10 adult cats.

ST. PETERSBURG: Restricts the number of pets in homes by prohibiting kennels from residential zoning districts and defining a kennel as "keeping of more than five adult (1 year old or more) dogs or 10 adult cats on site." Combined number of cats and dogs on any one site cannot exceed the maximum number of dogs.

TREASURE ISLAND: No restrictions on number of pets in homes, but prohibits kennels (an establishment where domestic animals are bred, boarded or sold) as a home occupation.

Palm Beach - (8/9/08) - Volunteer patrol workers will soon help Palm Beach County's animal control department enforce laws designed to reduce the number of unwanted pets killed at the county's shelter. The uniformed volunteers will be responsible for educating the public on the county's new spay-and-neuter regulations. They also will report animal-cruelty cases to the department and respond to minor complaints, such as dogs running loose. The "citizens animal patrol" is modeled after neighborhood watch programs at local police departments. Volunteers will have limited power but will be authorized to issue warnings to residents with unlicensed pets. County commissioners approved the program in January as part of the controversial spay-and-neuter regulations. The rules require owners who have not spayed or neutered their dogs and cats to pay higher licensing fees and say hobby breeders must get a county permit.
Volunteers will go through a weeklong training course and will spend about 40 hours riding along with an animal control officer. The program will cost the county little. Volunteers will drive their own cars and will get used uniforms. The only expense will be the cost of embroidering a logo on the uniforms.

Tarpon Springs - (8/9/08) - A group of business entrepreneurs inspired the city to look into relaxing restrictions in a city ordinance regulating dog boarding. Attorney Michael Kouskoutis told city commissioners it is unfair that the current ordinance only permits veterinarians to board pets overnight. Dog day care business owners should also be given that right under conditional use permits, he said. Danielle and Matt Steingraber and Mike Murray raised the issue. They want to offer overnight boarding in a proposed dog day care business at 1011 E. Lemon St., in the highway business district. Danielle Steingraber said a dog day care without overnight boarding would not be economical feasible. Interim City Manager Mark LeCouris voiced fears about noise complaints that might emanate from a business boarding pets overnight near residential neighborhoods. There is no reason veterinarians should be given the exclusive right to board dogs, especially when there is a great need for this service during tropical storms, Kouskoutis said. Planner Renae Vincent said she would research the request and report to the city commission as soon as she can.

Walton County - Santa Rosa Beach - Three-quarters of all dog owners in Walton County tether their dogs for at least part of the day, Walton County Animal Control Officer Lois Marwalt said. And if their leashes are too short, they often have no way to protect themselves in case of an attack. Other topics addressed Wednesday were among six issues county commissioners asked the committee to research. Topics previously addressed include a feral cat program, a spay/neuter program and standards of care/sheltering. But before any changes are made, residents will have a chance to voice their opinions, committee member Victoria Barnard said. "Every citizen has the opportunity to show up and support or not support the recommendations," she said. Barnard said the committee "has received some inaccurate press," and that none of the members are extremists as some seem to believe. Barnard emphasized that a mandatory spay/neuter program has never been and never will be on the group's agenda.

GEORGIA

Dublin - Laurens County - (8/1/08) - If your dog or cat roams and does not have tags and proof of rabies vaccinations, you could be cited. The Laurens County Commissioners decided in a workshop Thursday (7/31/08) night to ramp up enforcement of the county's leash law and state required rabies vaccinations. We're encouraging everybody if you haven't gotten your dog's tags and vaccination - please do so, said Bryan Rogers, County Administrator. If the owner can be identified, they'll be ticketed.Rogers said the Dublin City Council has requested the county crack down on animals at large. Both Dublin and East Dublin municipalities have contracted with the county for animal control management. We looked at a lot of statistical information, Rogers said of the workshop, we saw that 90 percent of the animal control calls the county received comes from Dublin or East Dublin. So we're going to focus on those statistical areas. Stray dogs that are not fenced in, or dogs and cats that are roaming will be picked up.The next Laurens County Commission meeting will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug 5th at the County Commission boardroom, located in the courthouse annex at 101 N. Jefferson in Dublin.

Fannin County - (8/6/08) - A new animal control ordinance for Fannin County was still not available for review online Thursday (8/7/08) morning, as Commission Chairman Howell Bruce Jr., said it would be. The extensive ordinance covers duties of the animal control officer, nuisance animals, impounding of animals, immunizations and sterilizations, and a wide range of other animal control topics. Public hearings are being scheduled to allow citizens to comment on all the rules. As of press time, the recommendations from the K9 Care Fannin committee remained posted on the county's website and the draft of the ordinance itself was not available. Residents can request a copy of the proposed ordinance in person at the Fannin County Board of Commissioners office. There is also a section on the county's website where the public can leave comments for the board of commissioners on the issue. The first of three public hearings is scheduled for 5 p.m., Aug. 12, just prior to the board of commissioners regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. A copy of the draft ordinance, obtained by hand from the board of commissioners, shows changes that were recommended by the K9 Care Fannin committee and other changes the committee never discussed. The first change of note can be found in the first section of the draft ordinance in which the ordinance states definitions for the rest of the ordinance. At press time, Commission Chairman Howell Bruce Jr. had not responded to multiple requests for comment on both the proposed ordinance or the confusion as to when the hearing would be held. You can read the contents of the draft ordinance here.

Homerville - (8/15/08) - Mean or not, the city of Homerville is considering an ordinance to ban pit bulls from the city limits. Homerville City Manager Albert Thornton says the city council is only discussing options as of now."We decided we'd look at it, see what needs to be done and at a future date, we'd make a decision on where to change the existing ordinance or to draw up a new ordinance." City Council will meet again on Thursday (8/21/08) to discuss the issue, but no action will be taken.

HAWAII

Kauai - (8/7/08) - The Kaua‘i County Council Parks and Recreation Committee on Wednesday again deferred three bills that would allow leashed dogs on the Eastside multi-use path, toughen the animal nuisance laws and create a new dog park.But the committee’s chair, Councilman Tim Bynum, said the bills found some footing and will likely pass out of committee to the council floor at the next meeting. “I see an end in sight,” he said yesterday.Council members agreed to take up the proposed legislation as the first business item at 9 a.m., Aug. 20, at the Historic County Building, according to interim Council Chair Jay Furfaro.Furfaro, who is an ex officio committee member, said at the next meeting they are expected to merge the proposed amendments to the bills into one cohesive piece.Interim Mayor Bill “Kaipo” Asing, who introduced the proposed ordinance to create a new dog park when he served as council chair, presented a compromise package to the council that he said was “fair and reasonable.”

ILLINOIS

Cass County - (8/8/08) - The Cass County Board approved a resolution to control dangerous dogs. The document says any stray dog deemed dangerous under the Illinois Animal Control Act will cost the owner $500. Repeat offenders can pay up to $1,500. The board hopes this will help cut down on the amount of strays. The ordinance took effect August 1.

Springfield - (8/4/08) - The price of letting dogs run loose in Springfield is about to go up, two aldermen say. An ordinance introduced at Monday’s meeting of the Springfield City Council public affairs and safety committee would increase fines from $100 to $200 for a first violation of the city’s animal-control code. A second violation would bring a $400 fine, and any further offenses would cost $800.Ward 1 Ald. Frank Edwards and Ward 6 Ald. Mark Mahoney said they want to hit irresponsible dog owners in the pocketbook and prevent dog bites. However, paperwork presented to the committee by the city’s legal department isn’t clear on exactly what would be covered by the steeper fines.

INDIANA

Anderson - (8/17/08) - After months of work, the Animal Control Commission presented its revised ordinances regarding animals to the Anderson City Council on Thursday (8/14/08)night. The ordinance passed only one reading, witAfter months of work, the Animal Control Commission presented its revised ordinances regarding animals to the Anderson City Council on Thursday night. The 12 pages of amendments and additions recreates the Animal Control Commission, renames the animal shelter to Animal Care and Control, and increases fees for licenses, adoptions and surrenders at the city facility. It also elaborates on animal cruelty and adds fines for multiple offenses that result in impounding the animal. The ordinance must pass three readings to become part of city codes.

IOWA

Sigourney - Keokuk County - (8/5/08) - In recent months, the Sigourney City Council, Keokuk County Public Health and area law enforcement officials have faced some difficult decisions as numerous dog bite incidents have surfaced in the County. Every pet (dog, cat, etc.) owner has a responsibility to ensure their pet does not cause a nuisance to others. This means that as pet owners, certain laws must be complied with; most of these are straightforward and are in place to ensure people and pets live happily and safely within the community. The Code of Iowa 351 outlines the ground rules for counties, cities, public health and law enforcement to follow with regards to pet ownership. In Code section 351.38, pet owner duties are defined with regard to bites. It shall be the duty of the owner of any dog, cat or other animal which has bitten or attacked a person or any person having knowledge of such bite or attack to report this act to a local health or law enforcement official. The main duty for the Keokuk County Board of Health is to protect the community. Pursuant to Iowa Code, the KC Board of Health is obligated to ascertain vaccination status for any animal reported and/or to ensure the vaccinations (rabies) are current (owner financially responsible), which may include confinement when a bite has occurred (skin is broken due to bite). The City of Sigourney has taken the Iowa Code and expounded upon it in the City of Sigourney Ordinance IV, Chapter 1: Animal Control (available at the City Clerk's office). The "At Large Prohibited" ordinance takes the state code a step further by defining the term "at large" to mean: "any licensed or unlicensed animal found off the premises of the owner and not under the control of a competent person, restrained within a motor vehicle, housed in a veterinary hospital or kennel, on a leash or "at heel" beside a competent person and obedient to that person's command."Sigourney City Ordinances also go into detail about dangerous animals and keeping vicious animals. 4-1-9 Keeping a Vicious Animal states: a vicious animal is deemed so when it shall have attacked or bitten any person (without provocation), or when the propensity to attack or bite persons shall exist and such propensity is known or ought reasonably be known to the owner thereof. There is also a lengthy definition of Pit Bull Dogs, which is prohibited within the corporate city limits of Sigourney. According to Sigourney Police Chief, Allan Glandon, after an animal is deemed vicious and ordered to be removed from the city limits, the Keokuk County Sheriff's Department is notified as well as the Keota Police Department. As per Iowa Code, medical, veterinary, law enforcement officials as well as residents of Keokuk County are obligated to report pet (dog) bites to ensure the safety of the victim. Local officials also encourage parents to caution young children on approaching unknown pets to avoid a bite or attack. Many pet owners believe their pet couldn't or wouldn't bite, but recent unprovoked dog bites in Keokuk County prove any animal is capable.

Spencer - (8/2/08) - A full agenda will greet the Spencer City Council when it meets for the first of two regularly scheduled council sessions in the month of August beginning at 6:30 p.m. Monday night in council chambers at City Hall. Among one of the more discussed items publicly, the Vicious Animals Ordinance which will be a focus on the council again on Monday. The ordinance gives a detailed definition of a "vicious animal." The ordinance also lists certain breed specific dogs that would meet the definition of a vicious animal. They are as follows: A Staffordshire Terrier breed, American Pit-bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or any dog which has the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the breeds of Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit-bull Terrier, or American Staffordshire. The ordinance also clarifies when an animal may be destroyed. During the first filing there was lengthy discussion on removing the reference to breed specific dogs. If the council so desires, modifications to the ordinance can still be made.
Monday's (8/4/08) meeting would constitute the second filing of the ordinance. UPDATE: (8/16/08) - The Spencer City Council will consider a more defined ordinance to deal with vicious dogs as part of its 6:30 p.m. meeting Monday (8/18/08) in council chambers. But committee work suggests specific breeds won't be singled out in the ordinance language. "The Public Safety Committee met on this item on August 12, and determined that the ordinance should remain intact with the exception of removing any reference to a specific breed of dog," said Spencer City Manager Bob Fagen."For the most part, the ordinance gives a detailed definition of a vicious animal. The ordinance also clarifies when an animal may be destroyed. The Public Safety Committee is recommending that the reference to breed specific dogs be removed from the proposed ordinance and that the third and final filing of the ordinance be adopted."

Spirit Lake - Fences blocked the Spirit Lake City Council from making a decision on the ordinance regarding dangerous dogs and prohibition of wild animals. Councilmembers have agreed that they would like to allow pit bulls within the city limits with certain restrictions. All dangerous dogs, not just pit bulls, cannot be allowed to exit their kennels, pens or other enclosures without being on a leash no longer than four feet long. The dog must also wear a properly fitting muzzle. When the animal is not leashed it must be securely confined indoors or in a confined, locked pen which must meet certain standards. The structure must have secure sides and top, or if there is no top, the sides must be eight feet tall. The structure must have a permanently attached bottom or the sides must be embedded at least one foot into the ground, and the structure must be made of such material and closed in such a manner that the dog cannot exit the enclosure on its own. Other conditions include posting "Beware of Dog" signs with lettering no less than two inches tall. The owner must prove that liability insurance or a surety bond has been purchased for no less than $100,000. All offspring of a dangerous dog must be registered with the city within six weeks of birth. If the dog escapes, the owner must immediately alert the police department.

KENTUCKY

Bowling Green - (8/15/08) - Bowling Green’s city Web site has been updated to specify that both cats and dogs within the city limits must have license tags issued by the Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society. Mike Grubbs, Citizen Information and Assistance director, said the changes were made within 24 hours of hearing about the discrepancy. Previously, various portions of the site were unclear as to whether all pet animals or just dogs had to be licensed. Dog and cat licenses are valid for one year, starting July 1, and are only available at the humane society. They cost $10 for pets that have been spayed or neutered, and $40 for those that have not.

Worthington - City council members voted unanimously to approve an amended version of an animal control ordinance Monday evening (08/11), angering some and appeasing others. The ordinance prohibits city residents from owning any dog defined as "vicious" according to Kentucky law, and requires owners of "potentially vicious dogs," including specific canine breeds, to be registered with the city. Vicious dogs include any dog in the city "that has attacked or attempted to attack a human being or other domestic animal without provocation" and "any dog with a known propensity or tendency, or disposition to attack unprovoked" a human being or domestic animal, or cause injury to property. Potentially vicious dogs are defined as the bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire, Rottweiler, chow chow, mixed-breed dogs known as pit bulls and "any dog which has the appearance and/or characteristics of being predominantly of any of the breeds of dogs listed above or a combination of any of those."

LOUISIANA

Hammond - (8/7/08) - Nearly 200 cats and dogs at an animal shelter in Hammond, La., were euthanized after a viral outbreak, officials said. On Monday, the cats and dogs at the Tangipahoa Parish Animal Shelter were showing symptoms that included vomiting and bloody diarrhea, according to parish officials. An area veterinarian examined the animals and determined that half of them appeared to be infected. The veterinarian recommended that all cats and dogs be put down and that the shelter be completely cleaned, sanitized, and closed for several days to follow, parish officials said. Parish President Gordon Burgess consulted with a second veterinarian, as well as the State Department of Health and Hospitals and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and it was determined that the original veterinarian’s plan would be followed. “While the parish is certainly disappointed that this course of action had to be carried out resulting in the euthanasia of over 170 animals, it must also be clearly pointed out that Tangipahoa Parish Animal Control is primarily a population control and abuse investigation agency, not a rescue organization,” according to a statement released Thursday by the parish.
The parish is conducting an internal investigation to determine if there were any shelter policy violations that may have led to the outbreak. Two kennel staff members have publicly announced their resignations. The facility remains under quarantine. Shelter staff could not be reached for comment

MICHIGAN

Allen Park - (8/6/08) - UPDATE - City officials, considering outlawing pit bulls, reviewed Melvindale's similar ordinance and heard form people on both sides of the issue Tuesday (8/5/08) night. Approximately two dozen residents and pit bull owners from other municipalties attended the city council's Legal Affairs Commmittee meeting that lasted almost an hour and a half. Among those who addressed the group were city councilwoman Beverly Kelley. Allen Park may opt to restrict loose dogs in general, rather than pit bulls -- and pit bull mixes.

Southfield - city became the fifth in the state to ban pit bull ownership after the Southfield City Council gave the go-ahead Aug. 11. Pit bulls currently residing in the city are grandfathered in, but are subject to new restrictions. According to the restrictions, pit bulls already in the city must be registered and licensed as a pit bull; be kept on no longer than a four-foot leash and be muzzled when off the property; if the animal is kept in a dog pen, the pen must have a roof and a floor; and the owner must have liability insurance. The item came before council because the city has been without an animal control officer for four years. Council approved hiring a new - and this time armed with a gun - animal control officer 5-0.

Wyandotte/Redford - (8/9/08) - An uptick in violent dog attacks in some Wayne County communities has officials taking action, enacting stricter regulations for dogs deemed vicious and their owners. Allen Park has formed a committee to study a pit bull ban; Wyandotte and Redford Township are set to take up ordinances this week. On Monday, (8/11/08) Wyandotte's City Council will look at requiring owners of pit bulls, Staffordshire terriers and pit bull mixed breeds to leash, muzzle and microchip the dogs or face up to $500 in civil fines. If the new proposal moves forward, current owners will have 60 days to comply. Requirements include notification to the city animal shelter or police if the animal escapes, attacks or has died. Redford Police Chief John Buck said his township also is dealing with a recent surge in attacks -- six in June alone. Now officials intend to approve Tuesday (8/12/08) - an ordinance that will require owners to obtain liability insurance, keep dogs confined in secure pens and in some cases obtain special $100 licenses for dogs deemed vicious, Buck said.

Redford - first draft of the "vicious dog" ordinance has no breed specific language. The so-called 6 attacks in June, mentioned in the article, was also incorrect and misleading. In the article, the reporter insinuated that these were all "attacks" by pit bulls. According to Redford Police, these were "bites" caused by various breeds, including dog-on-dog bites and dog-on-person bites.

MINNESOTA

(8/10/08) - Minnesota animal welfare rights groups say they are continuing the fight for tighter regulation of the state’s numerous puppy and kitten mills through new legislation, despite some hesitation from lawmakers and large-scale breeders. Last year, Sen. Don Betzold, DFL-Fridley, and Rep. Frank Hornstein, DFL-Minneapolis, introduced the bill, known as the “breeder bill,” which would require state inspections, licensing requirements and standards of care. The bill didn’t pass in 2007 or 2008, but Betzold hopes to reintroduce it again in the upcoming legislative session. Minnesota is among the top producers of puppies and kittens in the United States, according to the Second Chance Animal Rescue organization. The bill’s regulations have made it an unpopular choice among breeders, who fear government interference and overly strict guidelines, Betzold said. But the only way to get rid of the bad breeders is to have standards that apply to all of them, he said. “I would think good breeders would welcome that, if we could get rid of bad breeders through inspections,” he said. “It would give consumers confidence about the animals they are purchasing.”

Minneapolis - (8/9/08) - As urban agriculture booms in the Twin Cities area, Minneapolis residents are pressing their city to let them expand their backyard farms beyond chickens to bees and hoofed animals. "Why [these animals] can exist on one side of [Hwy.] 280 and not on the other is beyond me," said Willcutt, assistant manager at the Mill City Farmers Market.
Willcutt is an urban agriculture activist who raises chickens on Nicollet Island. But his Nigerian Dwarf goat, Vera, is in exile at a farm outside the city. St. Paul issues permits for hoofed animals and beehives, with the written consent of 75 percent of neighbors within 150 feet. But not Minneapolis. Hoofed animals there require special permits that can last no longer than 21 days and cost from $50 to $150, depending on the type of event. And don't even think about bees. Honeybee keeping is singled out for prohibition in the city code.

Minnetonka - (8/8/08) - After considering confining off-leash dogs to an enclosed dog park, it now looks as if the city will continue to allow canines to roam free in natural areas under their owners' voice command. But they will probably have to wear a "pet in the park" license.
The license is one part of a revised park ordinance scheduled for approval by the Minnetonka Park Board in October. Board members heard the proposal Wednesday and indicated they don't want to let a few irresponsible dog owners spoil privileges for everyone.

MISSISSIPPI

Calhoun County - (8/5/08) - Four Calhoun County mayors gathered in Bruce last week to rekindle an old practice of regular meetings to share ideas, problems, and possible solutions. Bruce Mayor Robert Edward Oakley, Calhoun City Mayor J.R. Denton, Vardaman Mayor James Casey, and Derma Mayor Dock Gabbert met last Friday in Bruce where they exchanged thoughts on issues such as dog ordinances, property maintenance regulations and various other economic development related issues.“It was an exhibit in great spirit and positive countywide attitude in regards to improving our county,” Bruce Mayor Robert Edward Oakley said. “It was an opportunity for us to talk about a lot of things and see how we could work together on some issues.”Vardaman Mayor James Casey said the mayor meeting was “extremely informative.”“It was an extremely good meeting,” Casey said. “It was nice to sit down and discuss common problems and new ideas – possible solutions I haven’t thought of.”“We’re going to try and get on the same page with property and dog ordinances,” Calhoun City Mayor J.R. Denton said. “We want to come together and support the county’s effort in putting together a vicious dog ordinance and see how else we can help one another.”“We talked about everything from zoning to bulldogs,” Derma Mayor Dock Gabbert said.

Greenwood - LeFlore County - (8/6/08) - Greenwood should adopt a tough ordinance restricting pit bulls and Rottweilers to prevent their migration into the city limits, Leflore County Humane Society's president said Tuesday. Leflore County's ordinance does not take place in municipalities. All they're going to do is start bringing them into the city, said Aubrey Whittington, president of the Leflore County Humane Society at Tuesday's (8/4/08) meeting of the Greenwood City Council. Unless we make it difficult for someone who is not responsible to have these dogs, it's going to get worse.The Leflore County Board of Supervisors passed the restriction on pit bulls July 28, and Whittington said it is a good starting point. The city has an ordinance against vicious animals, but it doesn't specifically name pit bulls or Rottweilers, she said. Council President David Jordan said the council would act quickly on amending the city's ordinances to cover pit bulls and Rottweilers.

MISSOURI

St. Louis - (8/5/08) - State legislators who have proposed tighter exotic animal laws in the past expect they'll work for reforms in the wake of two tiger attacks this week in Missouri.
State Senator Tom Dempsey of St. Charles and State Representative Mike Sutherland of Warrenton both have tried unsuccessfully to strengthen exotic animal laws in Missouri. They call it unfortunate that two tiger-related tragedies should bring the issue to the forefront.

NEBRASKA

Grand Island/Hall County - (8/9/08) - Add Hall County to the growing number of Nebraska communities considering some sort of limits on pit bull dogs. Hall County officials have not used the word "ban" regarding pit bulls, but do say they want the animals regulated in some way. The Hall County Supervisors plan to take up the issue at their next meeting after consulting lawyers.

Minden - (8/8/08) - The city council has defined what it means to be a "pit bull" in Minden. City clerk and treasurer Dick Young said Thursday that an earlier city ordinance had banned dogs with some pit bull in their family backgrounds. But he says it was tough to determine the exact percentage in a particular dog. The new ordinance defines pit bulls as any of the dogs "commonly referred to" as pit bull dog, the American pit bull terrier and American Staffordshire terrier. Young also says visitors can bring their pit bulls to town but for only a maximum of 7 days. And the dogs must be leashed. The ordinance goes into effect next week. In June, the city of Osceola banned pit bulls along with seven other breeds.

Omaha - (8/5/08) - UPDATE - A local animal advocacy group calls a pit bull ban a "dangerous dog ordinance." The American Pit Bull Rescue Association spoke out Friday, asking Omaha to take its time before considering a pit bull ordinance. The group brought out a pit bull owner and pit bull named Sammy to show how properly trained pit bulls behave. It says the city should hold more public meetings during the next two months before even considering a ban. City leaders say they've already heard the group's concerns and have already planned to meet at least one more time before a committee makes any recommendations. Committee members say several options are on the table including a ban or a law aimed at dog owners, but it could be several weeks before it makes a decision. UPDATE: (8/15/08) - Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey delivered a detailed amendment list to Omaha's dog ordinance Friday morning. In the proposed amendments:
The Nebraska Humane Society has the authority to designate dogs as "dangerous" based on their behavior. Dangerous, in this case, includes any animal that inflicts injury on a human; any animal that injures another domestic animal; any animal that chases or approaches a person on the streets, sidewalks or public ground in a menacing fashion; and any animal with a known disposition to attack when unprovoked. A mandatory spaying or neutering and microchip identification is required upon a dog's designation as dangerous.
Required classes. Owners of dangerous dogs must attend a responsible pet ownership class within 90 days of a designation.
Leash and muzzle requirement for pit bulls. It is illegal for any person to permit a pit bull out doors unless confined in a securely fenced yard or unless the animal is under the control of a person 19 or older, restrained securely by a leash and properly muzzled.
A pit bull is defined as any dog that is an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentina, Presa Canario or Cane Corso, or any dog displaying the majority of the physical traits of any one of those breeds.

Omaha - (8/1/08) - Why is it that when one pit bull attack occurs, an attacking epidemic sweeps the nation? Is there something in the dog food? Are irresponsible owners simultaneously agitating their dogs? Or is the media to blame for sensationalizing the attacks? As a member of the media, I have no answers. But I do have some suggestions for this ridiculous wave of dog crime.In the past month, the Omaha-metro area has seen numerous attacks, the most serious being an attack on a 15-month-old who lost part of her scalp from a pit bull's bite. Now an Omaha committee is exploring possible restrictions on the breed. The City of Omaha already has dangerous-animal and menacing-behavior laws, which allow individual animals to be labeled dangerous, or even euthanized, if they attack without provocation or have been trained to fight.While this looks good on paper, is this approach really solving anything? Clearly not. And the reason why is, like so many other problems in the world, the real issue behind the pit bull attacks is being swept under the rug. And the real issue, of course, is the owners.

NEVADA

Reno, Sparks and Washoe County - proposed at the Animal Control meeting (8/12/08) is that anyone...no matter who....that owns 4 dogs, could be your 90 year old granny with 4 deaf, dumb and blind dogs .....is considered a "kennel" and requires a kennel permit...and not only that, this 'kennel' must pass through a maze of county or city agencies, such as planning, zoning, building permits, business licenses, etc.. The public was not invited. Breeders were not invited. The person who attended the meeting was told to be quiet, it was not a public discussion! No link - no report in the Reno Gazette-Journal - *ED NOTE- some body might want to tell Washoe County Animal Control that they haven't updated their meeting minutes since January,08.

NEW YORK

Argyle - (8/15/08) — After hearing public comments at a meeting on Wednesday evening, the Town Board unanimously voted that it was in the best interest of the public to pass a dog control law effective within the town of Argyle. Dog control officer Ed Holland agreed that having a leash law would help him take action when incidents occur. The law states that all dogs must be restrained by a leash or be under the full control of the owner whenever they are on public property.A dog will be in violation of the law if it continually makes noise for 10 minutes, causes property damage, repeatedly defecates or urinates or otherwise creates a nuisance.The law also states that a dog 4 months old or older must wear a valid dog license tag and rabies tag while off the owner’s property, whether or not it is restrained by a leash. A violation of the law would result in a $25 fine for a first offense, a $50 fine for a second offense and a $250 fine for a third offense, or a term of imprisonment not to exceed five days. The law will take effect 20 days after being adopted by the Town Board and after its filing with the Secretary of State.

Herkimer - (8/14/08) - The village of Herkimer has a new, stricter animal control law which includes harsher penalties for repeat dog-at-large offenders.The law had a last minute update before the board voted in the new law at Tuesday’s Herkimer Village Board of Trustees meeting. Initially the law called for a $10 redemption fee to claim a lost animal, but Trustee Tina Cirelli thought the charge should increase for repeat offenders after talking to village animal control officer Jim Hawkins. Now a first offense redemption fee is $25, the second is $50 and the third is $100. Penalties for the first offense is a civil penalty of $100. The second offense within a two year period is $150 and the third offense within a two year period is $250. The law restricts the number of animals to no more than five dogs or cats combined, six months of age and older, to be kept on any single premise, regardless of the number of owners. It also contains sections regarding other animals besides dogs and cats, such as ferrets, iguanas, livestock animals and prohibits wild animals from being kept as pets. Other sections include leash and pooper scooper ordinances, both of which are required. The law took effect immediately.

Nyack - (8/10/08) - Recently, notices have been posted along the riverfront at Memorial Park concerning the dogs who play there "off leash" in the morning. An old village ordinance has been brought up, saying all dogs have to be leashed on Nyack streets, etc. Not to play with semantics, but the riverfront is not the "street." We do not want to break the law, but Nyack, which is a dog-friendly town, provides no public space for our dogs to run around. Where can we take them? Dogs need socialization and exercise the way humans do. Therefore, we propose a substantial dog run be built at Memorial Park. The fence that is alongside the tennis court can be expanded. Fencing will not be costly, the area around there is muddy but can be seeded. We propose a dog run that will be open daily.

NORTH CAROLINA

8/10/08 - Citing increasing complaints from landowners, game department officials in Virginia and North Carolina have been looking at ways to regulate the use of dogs by hunters. Virginia initiated its "Hunting with Hounds: A Way Forward" study that has incorporated various stakeholders who have identified problems and made proposals. At the heart of the debate is a conflict between hunters who use dogs and landowners who don't want hunters or dogs on their property. Virginia has released preliminary recommendations and a report. Next are a series of public hearings. The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is expected to act on several proposals in November. Using dogs to help hunters track deer, raccoon, bear and other animals is a longtime tradition in the South. But many states, including Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, have instituted strict rules governing the practice. North Carolina game officials are studying rules adopted in other states in an effort to come up with their own solutions. "We're hearing more and more complaints. So we have to do something about it," said Wes Seegars, chairman of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Board of Commissioners. North Carolina officials are considering a special license for each hunting dog and forbidding dogs on land where hunters and dogs do not have permission to be. If a dog is captured on such property, the hunter would be fined $250 for each violating animal. Continued violations could result in termination of hunting licenses.

Clayton - (8/6/08) - While Clayton is the first city in Johnston County to ban tethering, anti-tethering ordinances are part of a growing tend. Durham County Commissioners will consider outlawing the practice next month, while animal rights advocates are pushing for a similar law in Orange County. In Clayton, Bridges said the city will work to educate pet owners before enforcing the new law. “We want to be sure to have the opportunity to let residents become familiar with the ordinance and give them time to comply,” he added. According to Councilman Alex Harding, Clayton's anti-tethering ordinance doesn't take effect until early October. While penalties for violating the rules are still being decided, Harding said at the minimum, anyone caught tethering a dog will receive a fine.

Durham - (8/6/08) - Durham County commissioners will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Aug. 25 on a proposed ordinance to ban the tethering of dogs. For more than two years, animal advocates and the county have discussed implementing such a law, based on the premise that chaining or otherwise tethering animals outside is cruel and inhumane and that the practice contributes to constant barking and even causes dogs to become overly aggressive. At a work session Monday, commissioners scheduled the public hearing for the end of the month, to be held in the commissioners' chambers at 200 E. Main St. A draft of the ordinance prepared by the county's Animal Control Advisory Committee will be available for public comment. If necessary, commissioners could hold a second public hearing in September, just before the board votes on the final proposed ordinance. If commissioners approve the new law, it would go into effect after a 15-month education campaign by the county. The ordinance would be enforced by the county's animal control department in the entire county, including inside the Durham city limits.

Fayetteville - (8/1/08) - Cumberland County officials are trying to decide how many dogs are too many for county residents. The legal limit is three dogs per household. But that rule was challenged when a man violated the limit by taking in two dogs from his son, who is serving in Iraq. When Cumberland County officials found out he had five dogs living at his home, they told him he was over the limit. No one seemed to mind until a neighbor filed a noise complaint. A Cumberland County spokesperson said the issue is being worked on right now. A recommendation will be made to a planning board and then to commissioners. The Cumberland County planning director said they may make a recommendation of six dogs per household. UPDATE: (8/3/08) - County officials decided Friday to recommend using temporary permits for cases where someone violates the dog ordinance by keeping pets for a friend or family member. County planners met with county attorneys Friday afternoon to discuss changes to the ordinance, which allows residents to own no more than three dogs. “What we’re going to recommend is a temporary permitting approach,” Planning Director Tom Lloyd said.
Friday’s meeting was the first step for temporary permits to become an official county rule.
The recommendation must next be approved by county management. After that, it moves forward to the planning board. If that board approves it, the county Board of Commissioners has the final say.

Harnett - (8/2/08) - Now that the towns of Angier, Coats, Erwin and Lillington have approved a Municipal Animal Control Ordinance for the transition of animal control services to the county, the ordinance is up for a public hearing and a vote at Monday (8/4/08) morning's Harnett County Commissioners meeting. The ordinance, which will provide for one Animal Control Officer to patrol the four towns, makes it unlawful for any person to keep more than three dogs and three cats within town limits. Dogs and cats less than four months old are exempt from the ruling. Assistant County Manager Tony Wilder said the ordinance was typical for most municipalities and that numerous other ordinances were consulted in preparing the county's plan. "What we're doing," he continued, "is trying to work together with the towns to try to make (the ordinance) work for everybody." UPDATE: (8/5/08) - Harnett County Board of Commissioners - With Vice Chairwoman Beatrice Bailey Hill absent, the board Monday approved by a 4-0 vote a municipal animal control ordinance that will be used only in the towns and extraterritorial jurisdictions of Angier, Coats, Erwin and Lillington. Why it matters: The ordinance provides and defines authority of Harnett County Animal Control within those four towns. “It just lets us take charge,” Tino Medina, supervisor of the animal control department, said after the meeting. “We will be able to go in those towns and enforce the laws.” According to the ordinance, animal control will have “charge of protecting citizens of those towns from rabies transmitted by unconfined, uncontrolled or un-immunized animals, to regulate animals that may be a nuisance, to insure that all animals are treated in a humane manner, and in the promotion of responsible pet ownership and animal welfare.” Under the new regulations, it will be unlawful to hunt, trap or kill any animal within the territorial limits of the towns. Trapping may be done only with permission from the Harnett County Animal Control Department. What they said: “The towns had leash laws but no way to enforce them,” Assistant County Manager Tony Wilder told the board. “Police officers will still be involved.” The police in the four municipalities will make first contact and issue warnings when necessary, Wilder said.

NORTH DAKOTA

Morton County - (8/5/08) - I attended the planning and zoning commission and two county commission meetings in Morton County concerning a proposed feedlot. Since it involved animal agriculture, it was of interest to me, as a rancher and feedlot owner. I also am vice president of the Independent Beef Association of North Dakota, board member of Burleigh County Farm Bureau, active in R-CALF USA and the United States Cattlemen's Association. I would like to recognize all the people who are members of each commission for the public service they do. The decision they made was not an easy one, the room was full of people and emotions on both sides. The decision made was much bigger than one feedlot in one county in North Dakota. With activists from the East and West coasts wreaking havoc on animal agriculture, a decision made in the heartland was an important one. I believe the decision made in Mandan approving animal agriculture in an area zoned agricultural was the right decision.

OHIO

Cleveland - (8/6/08) - The State of Ohio labels pit bulls as "vicious" and requires pit bull owners to carry $100,000 in liability insurance, securely constrain the dog when on-property and to use a chain-link leash when off-property. Many Ohio cities add to the state restrictions such as Toledo, which limits each household to one pit bull and Cincinnati, which bans new pit bulls. The City of Cleveland also adds to state restrictions by requiring pit bull owners to secure the dog in a 6 foot pen with a roof, microchip or tattoo the animal, wear a muzzle when off-property and limits ownership to people 18 years and older. Unfortunately for pit bulls, many of their owners do not abide by the rules. Authorities then confiscate the dogs and often euthanize them. If pit bull owners followed the law, hundreds of pit bulls would not be impounded and killed. In the meantime, the Cleveland dog warden is busy picking up non-compliant pit bulls.

Granville - (8/8/08) - Village Council agreed to pay part of the cost of preventing the multiplication of a colony of feral cats. The council voted Wednesday to spend up to $750 -- half the estimated cost of spaying and neutering 20 to 30 stray cats that live on South Main Street near the Granville Milling Co. Jean Hoyt, who is organizing an effort to control that cat population, said she fears the colony might multiply if action isn't taken quickly. Once the cats are spayed and neutered, Hoyt said, the colony gradually will die out. Feral cats often are victims of disease and have short lives, she said.

Lucas County - (8/8/08) - A group of animal rights activists is gathering signatures to get a number of things changed including firing Dog Warden Tom Skeldon. The group is called 4 Lucas County Pets. Members are not happy with the warden's office. Their web site describes who members are and what they want including a public education campaign to make people better pet owners with a low cost spay and neuter program and better access to the animal shelter by all local rescue groups. The organization says it's tired of paying the highest registration fees in the state. The group also strongly opposes the vicious dog ordinance focusing on pitbulls championed by Dog Warden Tom Skeldon. Members feel vicious dogs should be defined by their actions rather than their breed. The group has established an online petition on its web site.

OREGON

Douglas County - (8/8/08) - Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday (8/6/08) tabled a proposal to raise the cost of licensing dogs. Commissioners Doug Robertson, Marilyn Kittelman and Joe Laurance said they wanted the opportunity to discuss the matter more fully before deciding whether to charge more than the current fees of $6 for a dog that has been spayed or neutered and $25 for an unaltered dog. A public workshop will be announced at a later date. At a hearing two weeks ago, sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Marshall, who oversees the county’s animal control program, presented a proposal asking to raise fees for licensing — required by law for all dogs — to $9 and $30. An increase is needed, he said, to keep the county’s spay and neuter program afloat.

PENNSYLVANIA

Beaver - (8/9/08) - If you’re walking your dog on Monday, you might want to make sure Fido is properly licensed because there’s a good chance that the officials who enforce the state’s dog laws will be checking.The Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, which is part of the state Department of Agriculture, will visit some of Beaver County’s larger towns as part of an annual sweep to make sure the dogs are properly licensed and have up-to-date rabies vaccinations.While that aspect of the bureau’s activities is probably the most visible, there is plenty of other stuff to do through the year for the bureau’s employees. It is also responsible for licensing and inspecting dog kennels across the state, and its officials are in the midst of ensuring that an updated version of state laws governing dogs makes it way through the Legislature. Residents of Ambridge, Aliquippa, Beaver Falls, Freedom and Rochester may notice state dog wardens on Monday, as they stroll through each town, knocking on doors or checking dogs they meet on the street. Beaver County Treasurer Connie Javens, whose office is responsible for issuing dog licenses in the county, said wardens perform the sweeps here once a year. West said the bureau tries to do the sweeps in each county once a year. They’re important, because revenue from the license sales is one big source of the bureau’s income.

Berks County - (8/15/08) - The recent shootings of 80 dogs at a pair of kennels near Kutztown in Berks County is shining the spotlight on proposed legislation (HB2525) to reform Pennsylvania's dog laws. Governor Ed Rendell is planning to to address the proposed reforms at the Schuylkill River Dog Park in Philadelphia tomorrow afternoon. (8/16/08). He'll be joined by Sue West, director of the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement. Representative Tom Caltagirone, (D) Reading, is a sponsor of House Bill 2525. He says it would allow only veterinarians to euthanize dogs in commercial breeding kennels and make it illegal for anyone who is not a veterinarian to perform practices like debarking, ear and tail cropping, cesarean births.

Robinson - (8/6/08) - Robinson commissioners don't want residents keeping cougars or wolves as pets. But what about snakes? Frogs? Piranhas? Falcons? "We may have a problem here," Dan Tallon, commissioners' chairman, said Monday night after hearing that a proposed ordinance would prohibit carnivorous wild animals. "It sounds like that definition would include snakes, and people do have snakes as pets." Township Manager Rich Charnovich said the ordinance was written to address concerns about crowing roosters and dogs that are overly aggressive or bark too much. The section on carnivores was intended to address large, dangerous predators. "But if we pass this with this language in there, we'll have every snake owner in the township down here complaining," Mr. Tallon said. "I think we ought to get it right before we approve it so we don't end up going back and amending it later," Mr. Shiwarski said.
After the meeting, he said he thinks the best solution is to let pet owners apply for waivers if they want to own wild carnivores. But the commissioners were not swayed. "Fix it," Mr. Tallon said. And when Mr. Charnovich asked what the commissioners wanted it to say, he repeated, "Fix it."

SOUTH CAROLINA

Cheraw - (8/7/08) - The Cheraw Town Council held a special meeting during briefing on July 30 to review the town’s Animal Control Ordinance to determine if any amendments were necessary. Town Administrator Bill Taylor presented a comparison of animal control ordinances in Cheraw and the city of Mauldin.One issue the town is looking at is the leash law. Cheraw’s ordinance currently allows a 10-foot leash. Mauldin has an ordinance of an eight-foot leash.
Mayor Scott Hunter and Town Administrator Bill Taylor recommended that the council review the current ordinances and suggest any amendments necessary. An update was to be brought to the table on Aug. 6. No decisions will be made until council has completed it reviews. The current Animal Control Ordinances include topics as follows: Duties of the animal control officer, restraint and confinement, concealment of pets, displaying animals, limitation of the number of animals, animal care, registration of animals, keeping of reptiles or dangerous wild animals, squirrels and songbirds protected, dead animals, transporting of animals, vicious animals, restraint of guard dogs, animal wastes prohibited in certain areas, noisy pets prohibited, condition of animal pens, impoundment of nuisance animals, redemption of impounded animals, rabies control, animal cruelty, animal nuisance, penalties, dogs prohibited in parks, animal bites and quarantine. Cheraw Home Page w/Council emails can be found here. UPDATE: (8/15/08) - During Tuesday’s meeting a public hearing was held regarding proposed changes to the town’s animal control ordinance. The animal control ordinance changes are as follows:* Removing the “Strict Voice Command” and the length of a leash is reduced from 10-foot to eight-foot.* Limitation of the number of animals and the age limit is reduced from one year to not being older than six months.* Squirrels and songbirds-the word “song” is being removed thus resulting in all birds being protected in the corporate limits.* Impounding of animals-removes the section that states:After seven days or sold by the animal control officer at acost covering all impoundment fees and penalty charges, and Including that after that same period the animal will betransported to the county animal shelter for adoption of disposal.* The redemption of impounded animals - Owners reclaiming an impounded animal will have to pay $8 per each day the pet is left in the shelter. In addition, the owner will now pay a $25 fee for the first redemption in the one calendar year, and $50 for any second or subsequent redemptions of the same animal within the year. If the animal is picked up without a rabies tag in addition to the $20 assessment, the owner will now be required to pay to have the animal vaccinated and will be issued an appropriate certificate that the pet owner has paid the fee, and will be honored by the local veterinarian.* Complaints and animal nuisances - Individual who suspects someone’s animal is being a nuisance, will now be allowed to report that information to the animal control officer, in addition to remaining anonymous.* The increase of penalty fees for anyone who violates the animal control ordinance now ranges from $200-$500, which is now the standard under state law.

TENNESSEE

Lebanon - (8/6/08) - Lebanon City Council postponed hearing an amendment to the city code which would have defined two levels of dangerous dogs and set requirements for the control of such animals as well as consequences for owners who do not comply.

Rockwood - Breed specific legislation is BACK on the agenda to target more breeds. (1) Bull Terrier; (2) Staffordshire Bull Terrier; (3) American Pit Bull Terrier; (4) American Staffordshire Terrier; (5) Chow Chow; (6) Doberman Pinscher; (7) Rottweiler; (8) German Shepherd; (9) and ANY other breed commonly known as one of the above breeds or any combination of the above breeds. Current ordinance clearly identifies a "dangerous dog," and there is no need to add the breed specific language contained in the proposed amendments

TEXAS

Breckenridge - City commissioners approved a revised animal ordinance at the regular monthly meeting Monday, Aug. 4. The ordinance, which became effective Aug. 9, includes some changes regarding the sale of puppies and dogs, transporting dogs and proper restraint. According to the revised city animal ordinance, dogs will no longer be able to "ride" freely in the back of a pickup truck. Section 4-19 of the ordinance makes it "unlawful for a person to leash a (dangerous) dog on a chain, rope or other type of leash outside of its kennel or place of enclosure to an inanimate object such as a tree, post, building or truck." According to Section 4-10, "any dog carried in the open bed of a pickup truck must be securely restrained in such a way as to prevent the dog from exiting from or reaching outside the bed of the pickup." The revised city animal ordinance also identifies what constitutes a dangerous or vicious dog. If a dog is considered a dangerous or vicious dog, the owner must register the animal within 10 days of the dog entering the city or exhibiting any behavior that would constitute the dog as dangerous or vicious. Owners of such animals must pay a $50 registration fee, prove that the animal is vaccinated, has an identification microchip implanted and has been spayed or neutered. The owner also must carry public liability insurance of at least $250,000 for personal injury or death and $50,000 for property damage.

EL Paso - (8/9/08) - Call it animal politics. El Paso is once again getting serious about no-kill animal shelters. El Paso's Animal Services held a seminar at the Main Library Downtown on Thursday to educate the community about what exactly needs to be done to get this mission accomplished. Case studies were presented from other communities that have tried to implement a no-kill policy, along with a presentation by UTEP officials. The no-kill initiative would end the killing of homeless pets by increasing the adoption demand for shelter animals and reducing the number of unwanted animals through proactive spay and neuter programs.
Officials said approximately 18,000 animals are euthanized each year in El Paso and that's a number they'd like to see decrease. But this isn't the first time the city has put forth this idea.
"In December 1999, the city passed a resolution to make El Paso a no-kill community, however, the planning wasn't laid out," said Carla Alvarado, a Health Education Specialist with El Paso's Public Health Department.

Houston - (8/9/08) - When Kent Robertson clears out his desk at the director's office of the city animal shelter, he will leave behind many who depended on him, including the city's tireless animal welfare volunteers — people like Sherry Nassar, a longtime volunteer and animal rescue activist. But the most bereft will be the tens of thousands of abandoned or mistreated animals that Houston produces in wildly increasing numbers. It's critical that city officials seize this moment to hire the best replacement, using the best advice available. Many concerned for animals, though, think he might have been frustrated by the low budget and relentlessly irresponsible behavior that have made Houstonians' treatment of domestic animals a national embarrassment. Robertson's goal had been to transform the Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care into a no-kill shelter. He warned the job wouldn't be done overnight. Now that Houston has an unexpected opening at BARC — and an animal welfare crisis on its hands — the Health and Human Services Department needs to make the search part of the solution. First, it should launch a nationwide search to fill the job. And though it will have to pay this time, the city ought to invite Winograd to make an assessment. The new BARC director must be an adept lobbyist. He or she has got to know how to make private donors write checks and will also have to lobby fiercely for a statewide ban on unregulated sales of pets.

UTAH

Mapleton - (8/10/08) - A proposed pit bull ordinance may go before the Mapleton City Council within a month. Mapleton city manager Bob Bradshaw said a proposal will likely be put before the City Council for a vote in early September, or possibly late August. The proposal would include the same fencing requirement as in Springville, plus a roof for the animal's enclosure. Pit bull owners would need $100,000 in liability coverage for their dogs.

Murray - (8/15/08) - It isn't always the breed of the dog that determines its behavior. It's often the owner. Animal advocates say teaching dogs to be "good citizens" isn't that hard to do.
Advocates staged a demonstration Thursday partly in response to a proposed ordinance in Sandy that would have placed restrictions on certain dog breeds. The ordinance was not approved. The demonstration included three pit bulls who had recently earned the "Canine Good Citizenship" certification from the American Kennel Club

Orem - (8/10/08) - Orem is looking at a number of possibilities, including breed-specific regulations for pit bulls, or tougher laws for dogs in general. City manager Jim Reams said no decisions have been made about when or if any proposed ordinance will go before the City Council. "We've been looking at it. We have not decided if there will be a course of action yet," Reams said. Orem city officials have received dozens of e-mails, but most of them have been from people who live outside of Orem, and even outside Utah, who oppose laws targeting pit bulls.

Provo - (8/10/08) - Provo city staffs is studying the issue of pitbulls and working on potential ordinances. Provo's Municipal Council has spent much of the year considering a proposal that would regulate all dogs that are considered vicious. The proposal being considered would create classifications that describe dogs as "at risk" or "dangerous." If approved, the proposal would require owners of at-risk dogs -- those that menace or threaten people -- to keep their dogs fenced while at home and on a four-foot leash while on a walk. Owners would have to implant microchips in their dogs and provide a photo of the animal to the Provo Police Department.
Dogs that injure people would be considered dangerous, and owners could be required to muzzle them while in public, or even turn them over to animal control authorities to be euthanized.
"At least one of the concerns that's been raised about the proposed ordinance is maybe our existing laws are adequate, and so one thing we're going to do is evaluate the enforcement of the existing laws to see if there's anything we should be doing differently with the laws that we have," said Provo city spokeswoman Helen Anderson.

VIRGINIA

(8/10/08) - Citing increasing complaints from landowners, game department officials in Virginia and North Carolina have been looking at ways to regulate the use of dogs by hunters. Virginia initiated its "Hunting with Hounds: A Way Forward" study that has incorporated various stakeholders who have identified problems and made proposals. At the heart of the debate is a conflict between hunters who use dogs and landowners who don't want hunters or dogs on their property. Virginia has released preliminary recommendations and a report. Next are a series of public hearings. The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is expected to act on several proposals in November. "The stakeholders committee has done a fantastic job of identifying all the issues involved," said Bob Duncan, director of Virginia's game department. Using dogs to help hunters track deer, raccoon, bear and other animals is a longtime tradition in the South. But many states, including Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, have instituted strict rules governing the practice. North Carolina game officials are studying rules adopted in other states in an effort to come up with their own solutions. North Carolina officials are considering a special license for each hunting dog and forbidding dogs on land where hunters and dogs do not have permission to be. If a dog is captured on such property, the hunter would be fined $250 for each violating animal. Continued violations could result in termination of hunting licenses.
Virginia will hold a public hearing for southeastern Virginia hunters and landowners Sept. 4 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at King's Fork High School, 351 King's Fork Road, in Suffolk.

Norfolk - (8/14/08) - PETA has learned that Wesa-A-Geh-Ya--the exotic-animal menagerie in Warren County where a man was mauled by a tiger earlier this month--plans to relocate all of its remaining animals. In response, PETA has sent an urgent appeal to the Warren County Commission and Sheriff Kevin T. Harrison. The group is urging the officials to ensure that the animals do not further contribute to the overpopulation of exotic animals in the U.S. In order to prevent future maulings and deaths, PETA is asking Warren County to mandate that all the animals be spayed or neutered before they are sent to other menageries or roadside zoos. The group has offered to foot the bill for the surgeries. "More tigers are kept captive in the U.S. than remain in their native habitat," says PETA Director Debbie Leahy. "Breeding for greed has resulted in an overpopulation crisis among captive big cats, leading to the sort of abuse and neglect that these animals have suffered at Wesa-A-Geh-Ya." (see also under EXOTIC NEWS)

WEST VIRGINIA

Fairmont - Marion County - (8/7/08) - The county commission passed a vicious dog ordinance, Wednesday (8/7/08) morning, following a public meeting on the subject. Commissioners say the ordinance is modeled after similar regulations already on the books. It requires owners to restrain their dogs and to provide notice to the public. It also enforces strict penalties for not complying. Commissioners say the ordinance is a way to protect the public. Commissioners say the ordinance does not target any one specific breed of dog. It goes into effect immediately.

Lewis County - (8/2/08) - A proposed Lewis County ordinance would essentially make a dog's bark worse than its bite. If passed, owners whose dogs create a public nuisance by barking could be fined up to $500 and could spend as much as 90 days in jail. Magistrate Dan Moody, who forwarded the proposal to the County Commission, said dogs who bite can cost the owner a $100 fine and 30 days in jail. "We're going to work with these people," Moody said. "We're not just going to take their dogs and put them in jail. First, we are going to talk to them, tell them there has been complaints. We are going to give them all the options in the world to stop it."
Moody said there has been a number of complaints to the magistrate court regarding constantly barking dogs. The proposed ordinance states that at least two different people must make a complaint in writing to law enforcement officers against the same owner before the authorities will investigate the matter. If the nuisance is determined to be in violation of the ordinance, the owner could be fined up to $500 and jailed for 10 days on a first conviction. A second conviction would result in fines between $100 and $500 and up to 90 days behind bars. Probation of up to one year could also be levied. Commissioner Sam Hicks said he believes the law would create more problems than it could solve. Commissioners also expressed concerns that the proposal could lead to neighbors using the ordinance to harass those living nearby they do not like or to complain about those legally operating kennels. "I think you could see a lot of misuse of that ordinance," Queen said.

New Haven - (8/7/08) - New Haven Town Council met Monday (8/4/08) evening at 7:00 at Town Hall to discuss, among other business, a proposed Animal Ordinance which included the banning of Pit Bulls and Rottweilers. mayor tabled a proposed ordinance until further notice after asking the council if they believed the ordinance should be voted on as it was originally proposed. Four of the Five members agreed it should be reviewed and probable changes made. There were six town residents in attendance, two were there in regard to the Dog Ordinance, one opposing and one favoring. Information provided by Jodi Preis, who attended the meeting and stayed afterward to discuss the proposed "ban" with council. They were very receptive and will keep in touch with Jodi. Thank you, Jodi ! (no link available)

WISCONSIN

Chetak - Training and restraining certain breeds of dog-especially pit bulls and rottweilers-will become a legal issue when the city adds a vicious-dog ordinance to its city codebook later this year.

WYOMING

Cheyenne - (8/5/08) - Cheyenne Frontier Days officials met with members of an animal rights group to hear its concerns that certain events at the rodeo are cruel to participating animals.
While nothing definitive came of the meeting Wednesday evening, Frontier Days officials said they are looking into one of the group’s concerns. Both sides described the meeting as cordial.
SHARK, or Showing Animals Respect and Kindness, advocates banning steer roping from rodeo and wants Frontier Days to change its calf roping event by eliminating so-called jerk-downs, in which a calf is pulled straight back when roped around the neck by a rider on horseback.
The Illinois-based activist group earlier this year presented videos showing horses being shocked with hand-held devices to make them buck at the Cheyenne rodeo. Frontier Days banned the use of the devices before this year’s rodeo, and SHARK officials said they saw no horse shocking over the nine-day rodeo in late July. Mike Kobliska, an investigator with SHARK, said both sides listened to the other’s positions and arguments.

OTHER COUNTRIES OF INTEREST

AUSTRALIA

Queensland - (8/5/08) - FOUR Queensland councils will trial mandatory desexing of dogs and cats in a bid to reduce the tens of thousands of stray pets put down each year. Queensland and the Northern Territory were the only jurisdictions without compulsory registration and identification of cats and dogs. Should all pet dogs and cats be desexed? Have your say
Gold Coast, Moreton Bay, Townsville and Logan councils will each receive $380,000 for the initiative and a new code of practice for pet shops is being developed.
"In addition to trialling different methods of encouraging identification and desexing, they will also collect baseline data to monitor the numbers of levels of animals being euthanased," Mr Pitt said. Moreton Bay Deputy Mayor Greg Chippendale said 3000 dogs and cats were dumped at its pounds each year, which was why he backed mandatory de-sexing, except for animals owned by breeders. Logan City Council impounds more than 3500 animals each year. Brisbane City Council would not release its pound figures and Lord Mayor Campbell Newman refused to comment. Opposition leader Shayne Sutton said the killing of stray animals was a big issue.
"No one wants to see the large numbers of cats and dogs put down every year and we should be doing all we can to reverse it," she said.

S. E. QUEENSLAND - Calls for a ban on pet dogs - (8/6/08) - A report has found south-east Queensland's koala population could vanish within 20 years, sparking calls for a ban on pet dogs.
The survey by consultants GHD for the Environmental Protection Agency and Moreton Bay Regional Council showed the urban koala population in that area had declined 46 per cent over the past six years. The State Government has announced a task force to recommend drastic measures to Cabinet within four weeks. Those measures could include banning dogs in new residential areas, phasing out dog ownership in existing residential areas, and mandating koala-friendly fences for homes. Premier Anna Bligh said today tougher action was needed immediately. "I understand that there will be a big debate about some of these issues, but I'm not going to stand by and watch the koala population of south-east Queensland simply dwindle into oblivion," Ms Bligh said. "These are icon species - the koala is one of the great symbols of our country." Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) executive director Greg Hallam said preservation of koala habitat, rather than controlling dogs, was a better solution to south-east Queensland's dwindling koala population. Mr Hallam said dog ownership was a complex issue involving their role as companions, protectors and other factors. "Dogs are an issue up to a point, but the bigger issue is that we're taking away the koalas' habitat," he told AAP.

SAUDI ARABIA

Riyadh - (8/1/08) - As reported in the Chicago Tribune, A prohibition went into effect on Wednesday (7/30/08) that bans selling cats and dogs and walking dogs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This was decided because men and women often use their dogs as an excuse to strike up a conversation. In this strict Islamic country, they want to keep the human sexes apart. Violators will get their dogs confiscated by agents of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, the official name of the religious police, tasked with enforcing Saudi Arabia's strict Islamic code. "If a man is caught with a pet, the pet will be immediately confiscated and the man will be forced to sign a document pledging not to repeat the act," al-Othman told the Al-Hayat newspaper. "If he does, he will be referred to authorities." The ban does not address women. According to the article, part of the reason for the new rule is to curb the corrupting Western influence of pet ownership and fast food. So what will now happen to all the dogs in Saudia Arabia that need regular exercise and socialization? UPDATE:

(8/10/08) - The Saudi-owned Al-Hayat announced the ban, saying it was ordered by the acting governor of Riyadh province, Prince Sattam, based on an edict from the Council of Senior Islamic Scholars and several religious police reports of pet owners harassing women and families.
The prohibition might not have much of an effect in Riyadh. It's rare to see anyone in the capital walking a dog — much less carrying a cat in public — despite authorities' claims of flirtatious young men luring girls with their pets in malls. The religious police patrol streets and malls throughout the kingdom, ensuring unmarried men and women do not mix, confronting women they say are not properly covered or urging men to go to prayers. They also often make attempts to plug the few holes that innovations can cause in the strict gender segregation. In 2004, for example, they tried to ban cameras on cell phones, fearing that men and women would exchange pictures of each other, though the prohibition was revoked. There was no word on whether commission authorities intend to expand the dog and cat ban beyond the capital.
The prohibition could be more of an attempt to curb the owning of pets, which conservative Saudis view as a sign of corrupting Western influence, like the fast food, shorts, jeans and pop music that have become more common in the kingdom. Although it has never been common to own pets in the Arab world, it's becoming increasingly fashionable among the upper class in Saudi Arabia and other countries such as Egypt. In Islamic tradition, dogs are shunned as unclean and dangerous, though they are kept for hunting and guarding. In large cities around the Middle East, stray dogs are considered pests. The ban on cats is more puzzling, because there's no similar disdain for them in Islamic tradition. A number of traditional stories of the Prophet Muhammad show him encouraging people to treat cats well.

SPAIN

Within weeks, Spain is likely to go beyond laws that protect animals and be the first country to give rights to nonhumans, specifically great apes – gorillas, chimps, bonobos, and orangutans. If other governments follow, a line between mankind and animals will be crossed. Will such an action be a step up for humans? Not if it diminishes the essence of what is a right.
The possibility of such a risk is why a parliamentary panel in Spain recommends only a few rights for these species that are close to humans in evolution and that can display certain humanlike behavior. Spain's proposed law might help bolster rules on humane treatment of animals. Its action would elevate great apes in captivity to more than property. They would have standing in court, much as children or unconscious patients do. They could be given a guardian or lawyer. The law would grant apes a right to life. No human could kill them except in self-defense. They would have a right to be free of abuse. They couldn't be used in medical experiments, circuses, movies, and TV commercials. And so forth. To grant only a few rights to only a few animals is to go down a slippery slope of moral relativism. If some animals are treated in law like humans, that gives ammunition to some humans who see some types of humans as animals. History shows – in the Holocaust and in African slavery – how that ends. Because rights are unique and absolute to humans – who have the potential to grasp their meaning – they are a protection to humans. At the least, Spain's action may help ignite a useful debate on the origins and uses of rights. Even as it weighs this law on ape rights, Spain is not moving to ban the cruel sport of bullfighting or the run of the bulls at Pamplona. There's a lesson in that: Let human rights remain in the human realm while mankind works on improving its treatment of animals.

UK

Bull Breed Discrimination is Clogging up Rescue System
The plethora of Staffordshire Bull Terriers and type dogs currently in local authority holding kennels is placing a strain on the rehoming system in general. There also seems to be reluctance by some rehoming agencies to take these dogs after they have completed their seven days with local councils. The popularity of the breed has resulted in some stray dog holding kennels having exclusive areas of their kennel lines being turned over to almost 100% Staffordshire occupation now. What must be asked however is if the dogs are so popular, why are so many being seized as stray dogs by councils and not being reclaimed by their owners? One senior kennel worker with a managerial role who has worked at a major holding kennels for several years has become disillusioned with the amount of SBT dogs coming into the kennels and claims that many of these dogs will never have an opportunity to be re-homed. It is felt that instead of moving forward with animal welfare we are moving back to the bad old days of the 1960’s and 1970’s.
The kennels that home many dogs through a number of major league as well as smaller sized rescues see many non-SBT types getting a place with a rehoming agency whilst the SBT’s are left languishing in kennels which is not good for the dogs in the long term as many will agree.

Haverigg Beach - (8/15/08) - A campaign has been launched to clean up after pets on Haverigg beach. The beach comes under the jurisdiction of Copeland Borough Council. Open spaces manager for the borough council, Tony Magean, said: “On the enforcement side of things the act currently in place only allows us to enforce laws in town centres and not on the beach. “The laws currently in place are under the Dog Fouling Act. “However, the council is reviewing a Dog Control Order. Once this is agreed, following consultation across the area, the Dog Control Order will enable the enforcement of beaches. “We are hoping to introduce the order in the next four and five months. This will replace the Dog Fouling Act.”

South Tyneside - (8/16/08) - Council chiefs have launched a consultation exercise to seek views on the introduction of new legislation. If given the go-ahead the changes would include a new order for owners to keep dogs on leads at all cemeteries in South Tyneside and in South Shields' South Marine Park. In addition, an order would be introduced requiring people in control of a dog to immediately remove dog mess. It is proposed that a new Fixed Penalty Notice of £80 for an offence of dog fouling be brought in. That amount would be reduced to £50 if paid within a specified number of days.At a series of consultation roadshows over the summer the public has been invited to share their views on the proposed changes.A spokesman for South Tyneside Council said: "It is intended that these new laws will replace existing legislation. The current laws are outdated, confusing and complicated as different rules apply to different areas."The laws do not reflect the cleaner society we live in. The new legislation allows the council to determine specific land to which each dog control order will apply. Essentially this will make the law of dog control much clearer, easier to understand and applicable to a wider area."The moves come as a result of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. This enables the council to implement five offences for those in control of a dog.The final consultation roadshow is to staged for East Shields residents at St Margaret's Church at The Nook on Thursday, August 21, from 10.30am to 6pm, but people have until the end of October to express their views on the changes.

EXOTIC NEWS

Ferrets, like most other less conventional pets, may be subject to a range of laws regulating the ownership of exotic animals. Although it's legal to keep ferrets in most places, there are a few exceptions, such as New York City and California. But David Gaines, director of the legislative and legal affairs committee for the American Ferret Association, says in recent years most places have made the pets legal."Minneapolis and Dallas have recently legalized them," he says. "I'm not aware of any major municipalities that have gone in the other direction." But animals are subject to a patchwork of laws at more local levels that which may not always be consistent with one another. For example, ferrets are legal in Salt Lake County, but that's overridden by a law that prohibits them in Salt Lake City. So you need to check carefully before acquiring a ferret, or before moving if you have one.

VIRGINIA

And last, but certainly not least .....

This Month's Stupid Award....

undeniably FIRST PLACE, top of the heap, without fail, BEST IN SHOW goes to the Breed Identification Experts !!!!

Identity of Montauk Monster is Finally Revealed

Despite the UK's leading breed identification experts getting into a heated exchange over whether the animal dubbed the Montauk Monster was a Pit Bull or not, it turns out it wasn't even a dog.

It was a Raccoon.

So - all you so called "Pit bull ID experts" - there you have it. If YOU can't determine what a pit bull is, how can you continue to "ban" or "restrict" something that you don't even know what it is ?????

UK pit bull ID experts - and all those "experts" from elsewhere - ain't what they're cracked up to be.

Looks like you'll be busy putting restrictions on raccoons now, er..... PitCoons.

An Early Edition - Part I - Monthly National Legislation Report - 8/5/08

2008-07-16T13:00:00.067-04:00

(Part II will be published at the regularly scheduled time in Mid August)

FEDERAL

WASHINGTON, DC - In a setback for the animal rights movement, a U.S. appeals court Friday (7/18/08) struck down on free-speech grounds a federal law that made it a crime to sell videos of dogfighting and other acts of animal cruelty.All 50 states have laws against the abuse of animals, the appeals court said, but "a depiction of animal cruelty" is protected by the 1st Amendment. The ruling overturns a Virginia man's 2005 conviction, the nation's first under the law. Robert J. Stevens of Pittsville, Va., advertised and sold two videos of pit bulls fighting each other and a third showing the pit bulls attacking hogs and wild boars.He sold the videos to federal agents in Pittsburgh, and was convicted and given three years in prison.In Friday's decision, the appeals court in Philadelphia, by a 10-3 vote, said it was not prepared to "recognize a new category of speech that is unprotected by the 1st Amendment." Acts of cruelty to animals "warrant strong legal sanctions," the appeals court said, but it ruled unconstitutional the effort to criminalize for-profit depictions of animal cruelty. Congress passed the law in 1999 in hopes of eradicating the trade in animal cruelty videos. Because the videos rarely showed people who could be identified, state prosecutors often could not prove where the videos were made.

NOTES OF IMPORTANCE

NRA EXPOSES TWISTED CURRICULUM
7/13/08 - The Web site NRA huntersrights.org has reported before on animal rights' groups that try to push their so-called educational materials into our school systems, but none have been as crazy as this one. "The Zargon Connection" is part of a free "Humane and Responsible Teachers" curriculum designed for grades pre-K-9. Created by the New Jersey Animal Rights Alliance (NJARA), the package includes classroom exercises, activities and lesson plans. These documents include NJARA advice like discouraging field trips to zoos and aquariums because they "perpetuate the belief that it's acceptable to imprison animals." One of NJARA's issues is the killing of wildlife for management or sport, and the Zargon Connection is the educational tool they want teachers to use - on sixth graders. It is a science fiction story in which Earth is invaded by Zargonians-aliens that hunt and eat human beings for sport. Parts of Earth have been "designated as human management areas where they hunt us for pleasure and for our meat, which is considered a delicacy by Zargonian gourmets." "Occasionally, in a technique known as baiting, Zargonians will set up a fast food restaurant or pizza parlor and burst in on us while we eat, with their street sweepers blazing." NRA huntingrights.org managing editor J.R. Robbins says he can't believe any elementary school teacher is foolish enough to use such demented material in a classroom. If you live in New Jersey, Robbins suggests you inquire if anything from NJARA is being used in your child's school. Even though the material is too extreme to take seriously, it still may find its way into a classroom. _____________________________________________________________________

ALABAMA

Arab - Marshall County - (7/16/08) Confusion reigned at the workshop meeting of the Marshall County Commission Thursday.The commission was discussing adopting a resolution saying the county's animal control officer will enforce the state's animal control law. There are animal control ordinances in most cities in Marshall County, but none for the unincorporated areas.The state law is used in most counties when there is no local ordinance. Members in the audience, however, thought the commission was trying to adopt a new animal control ordinance under the self-governance, or home rule, act. Most of those who attended oppose the act."Is this a new home rule ordinance?" one man asked."No," Commission Chairman Doug Fleming replied. "This has nothing to do with home rule. This has to do with adopting state law."The commission earlier this year hired an animal control officer, but it has no animal control law on the books.
State laws say that in order for the animal control officer to do the job he was hired to do, he has to be appointed by the commission and he has to have a set of rules to go by, according to county administrator Nancy Wilson."He's been hired, but he hasn't been appointed," Wilson said. "And the county hasn't adopted any animal control laws. In absence of local laws, the commission will adopt the state law."The law gives the officer the authority to remove an animal from a residence or order the owner of the animal to provide care for the animal."The law basically gives the officer the right to protect pets from cruelty," Wilson said. Lanting and Brothers are on the agenda for Monday's commission meeting. They are expected to again discuss and voice their beliefs that the home rule act is illegal.

Clay - (8/1/08) - Barking dogs and other sounds could lead to fine and / or jail time if an ordinance read at the July 21 council meeting is passed. The proposed ordinance came after the council received complaints from residents of noise coming from roosters and musicians. One business owner complained about a barking dog in a house next to her business, disturbing massage customers. On Bridget Circle, a few roosters have led to the Clay Planning and Zoning Commission trying to figure out if the poultry are pets or livestock. Steven Archer, whose son owns the chickens, said he did not want Clay to turn into Trussville where he was told he had to bring his dog inside because it was barking, even though he said the neighbor was making the dog bark. Previously, Mayor Charles Hart has responded to complaints of noise saying that it is a difficult thing to endorse. But the one now being considered was taken from the City of Birmingham and was adopted by Adamsville. The council is expected to discuss the ordinance and possibly vote on it at the August 4 meeting.

ARIZONA

No report for Arizona

ARKANSAS

Greenwood - (8/3/08) - The city of Greenwood soon will be discussing proposed changes to its pet ordinance. One provision calls for the ban of all pit bulls within city limits.

Little Rock - (8/3/08) - Governor Beebe predicts Arkansas legislators will pass a tougher law on animal cruelty in 2009. Currently, animal cruelty is a misdemeanor. Two bills that would have made it a felony failed in the 2007 legislative session, when farmers and ranchers expressed concern they might be unfairly targeted. But Beebe said support is growing for a tougher measure. Senator Sue Madison of Fayetteville and Attorney General Dustin McDaniel have said they are working separately on animal cruelty measures for the 2009 session. Madison sponsored 1 of the bills in the 2007 session. It would have made aggravated cruelty to dogs, cats and horses a felony on the first offense. A rival bill by Representative Rick Saunders of Hot Springs would have made animal cruelty a felony only for a second offense occurring within five years.

CALIFORNIA

AB1634 - Up to the minute report from Brat Zinsmaster from the front line - (8/4/08) - Thank you, Brat !

AB1634 has "not" been officially logged into the Senate Daily Journal yet (which is needed for a reading). However, per my conversation this afternoon with the Office of Secretary of the Senate, AB1634 will be logged into the Journal today. The 2nd reading should occur tomorrow, Tuesday, 5 August. [The 2nd reading is basically a formality that indicates the bill has come out of Committee.]I was also informed that the bill will most likely have the 3rd reading on Thursday, 7 August, unless it is amended on the 2nd reading. To date, as of this writing, the most recent amendment for AB1634 is 1 July 2008. It will be considered as amended today when it is logged into the Journal and should be available online tomorrow for the 4 August amended version. Senate Floor Sessions are scheduled "live" for viewing tomorrow (Tuesday) and Thursday this week. Note: Due to the large volume of bills to be heard on the Senate floor, there is a possibility that additional days can be added to the Senate Floor Session schedule. If that is to occur, it would be announced in tomorrow's live session. Link to live session beginning at 9 AM Tuesday (8/5/08) here.

PROP 2 - IMPORTANT FACTS FOR PROP 2

Attorneys who are analyzing the legal consequences of the initiative for agricultural and food interests in California, whose "Californians for SAFE Food" coalition is organized to educate Californians on the initiative and urge them to vote no on the measure. The initiative - which has been designated "Proposition 2," or "Prop 2" - is directed at the treatment of farm animals and, if passed, would require that farm animals not be confined or tethered in a manner that prevents an animal from lying down, standing up, turning around and fully extending its limbs. For a hen in an egg production system, fully extending its limbs means extending its wings without touching the side of an enclosure, such as a cage, or another hen, according to the initiative. The initiative is directed at cage housing systems for hens and sow and veal calf stalls, but recent studies found that even most barn, or cage-free, housing systems for hens would be prohibited under the requirement. The law would become effective on 1 January 2015, and would carry penalties for violations of a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or a jail term not to exceed 180 days. Legal observers have said violations could cover each animal. Normally in California, investigations surrounding and arrests for alleged violations of criminal statutes are conducted by law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities. However, in a paper based on legal opinion, it was noted that California law is unique in that enforcement of animal cruelty and welfare laws "can be undertaken and/or compelled by any individual or by certain non-profit organizations".
The paper quoted California Penal Code 599a, which provides that an individual, who can represent a non-profit organization, can compel issuance of search warrants upon making a complaint under oath. When such a complaint is made to any magistrate authorized to issue warrants that the complainant believes that any law relating to, or in any way affecting, "dumb animals or birds is being, or is about to be, violated in any particular building or place", that magistrate must issue a warrant to any law enforcement officer or to an officer of a legally qualified association "authorizing him to enter and search that building or place and to arrest any person there violating, or attempting to violate" the law, according to the summation of the penal code. The initiative qualified for the ballot through a petition carried by animal activists led by Farm Sanctuary and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), both non-profit organizations. Accordingly, the paper suggested that any representative of Farm Sanctuary, HSUS or other animal activist group "would be free to demand and execute warrants and make arrests" to enforce the initiative. The empowerment of non-profit organizations to enforce California animal cruelty laws are further provided for in California Corporations Code Sections 10400 and 14502, noting that representatives of such organizations can obtain "peace officer" powers with respect to animal welfare laws. This unique enforcement feature is almost never referred to by supporters of Prop 2 and is not ordinarily understood by the voting public.

Hermosa Beach - (7/17/08) - After three hours of emotional testimony in a “vicious dog” hearing in which a family sought the death or prohibition of a neighbor’s two-year-old pit bull that they allege attacked their two-year-old boy, a mediator ruled this week that dog’s actions were not vicious and its owners would not be forced to have the dog euthanized or barred from the city. But the North Redondo neighborhood in which the incident took place on May 30 has been changed. Both the family of the young boy and the owners of the dog have put their houses on the market, and pending civil litigation – in which the boy’s family seeks compensation for emotional damages allegedly incurred in the incident – insure that the quarrel will not end any time soon. Animal behavior specialist Richard Polsky testified that he had observed the dog in its confinement, talked to its handlers, and gone over the evidence surrounding the incident, and in so doing had reached the conclusion that the dog was not vicious and had not attacked the child. “The overriding conclusion from my perspective as an animal behaviorist is that the injury inflicted upon this child did not happen out of the dog’s aggressive intent,” Polsky said. Don Karpel, a lawyer representing Bell and Cone, stressed that the couple are responsible dog owners. This was an extremely big financial hit for them, but they did everything the could possibly do – before and after this incident – to take care of the situation and be responsible pet owners.” That said, Karpel said the incident would have unfolded far differently if the breed involved were not a pit bull. “It would never have come to this situation, there’s no question in my mind,” Karpel said. “When they heard it was a pit bull or a pit bull mix, people just took a whole different reaction to it. The whole breed is condemned.”

Pasadena - City Council Public Safety Committee met yesterday, (7/15/08) and sent to the full Council, without recommendation, the proposed Breed Specific Mandatory Spay and Neuter Ordinance to require American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers or mixes thereof to be spayed or neutered at 8 weeks of age. Date for the Council agenda is pending. The law takes advantage of SB 861, a state Senate bill passed in 2005 that allows cities to regulate dogs based on breed. Pasadena would be the first in the region to enact a breed-specific ordinance.

Santa Barbara County - Board of Supervisors passed a motion (05/06/08) to "create a task force to include County staff and selected members of the community/stakeholder groups (two members from the Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Supervisorial Districts, three members from the First Supervisorial District) and to return to the Board as appropriate with proposed draft language for a spay/neuter ordinance." Applications for this "Task Force on Local Spay/Neuter Ordinance" are due by 5 p.m., Friday, July 25. The application states, "Selected task forcemembers will serve for approximately 3 5 months, participate in meetings in various geographic areas of the County, tour animal shelters, and work towards a consensus draft ordinance that is brought back to the Board of Supervisors for their consideration." Emphasizing the "consensus" aspect of task forces, the application concludes, "Please describe your experience working with other task forces, teams, groups, or organizations where consensus was built with input and participation from all team members."

Stanislaus County - (7/17/08) - Animal control fees in Stanislaus County went up almost across the board Tuesday night, despite some misgivings from supervisors. The new fee schedule for things such as adoptions, impound fees, and spay and neuter vouchers comes because the county fees had fallen far behind comparable counties, according to Dave Young, interim animal services director. The Stanislaus fees are 25 percent to 50 percent less than others on an eight-county survey the county uses for salary comparisons as well as a variety of fee comparisons. Under the new schedule, the dog adoption fee will rise from $75 to $90, and a dog license for an unaltered dog will rise from $100 annually to $150. The license fee for an altered dog will remain at $12. Cat adoption fees will stay at $45 to provide an incentive for cat adoptions, Young said.

COLORADO

De Beque - (7/20/08) - De Beque might become Mesa County’s third home-rule community.
But few, if any, residents seem to know why the tiny town of less than 500 residents would.
Last week the De Beque Board of Trustees voted unanimously — four of the six trustees attended — to place the question on the November ballot. If voters approve, they also will have to vote for a seven-member committee that would draft a home-rule charter, a process that could take up to six months. Once the charter is drafted, voters in De Beque would return to the polls to vote on it.

NOTE: HOME-RULE FACTS
• Municipalities in Colorado have either a statutory government or a home-rule government. De Beque is a statutory community, meaning it cannot pass ordinances without the consent of the Colorado Legislature. A home-rule community could decide for itself how it wants to address local issues, having all powers not expressly denied it by the Colorado Constitution or Legislature.
• Two other cities in Mesa County are home ruled: Grand Junction since 1909, Fruita since 1981. • There are 96 home-rule communities and 271 statutory communities in the state, according to the Colorado Municipal League.
• Mesa County attempted to become a home-rule county in 2002. The measure was defeated in a landslide: 6,856 residents voted in favor and 32,273 against, according to the Mesa County Clerk and Recorder’s Office.
When the town of Parachute had a problem with Pit Bulls last year, its status as a home-rule community allowed it to address the problem in a way it couldn’t have otherwise.
At the time, many in the community wanted pit bulls banned. If it had been a statutory community, the only way to do that would have been to appeal to the Colorado Legislature, said Denise Chiaretta, Parachute’s town clerk. Its status as a home-rule community gave Parachute the ability to change the law to reflect local concerns. The town held public meetings and did change its local ordinances in regard to dogs. “When we first became home rule, we tried to do an ordinance to ban specific dogs, but we had such an outcry from the citizenry we made a vicious-dog ordinance instead, which is the one thing we couldn’t have done without home rule,” she said. Other than the dog ordinance, the change to home rule has not had much of an impact on Parachute, she said. But home-rule status does allow Parachute more local control on issues important to the community, she said.

Englewood - (8/3/08) - Englewood residents now have just 72 hours to pick up their pet's poo — in their own yards. City officials are quick to point out there won't be a poop patrol in this Denver suburb but that the policy is another means to enforce infractions if someone complains about undue piles in a neighbor's property.

Peetz - (7/15/08) - At the Peetz Town Council meeting Tuesday (7/15/08), Joan Hof said the town received one complaint in the last month about a dog running loose. The dog’s owner also complained, stating that the neighbor who complained had locked up the loose dog in his yard.
Nienhuser said the town should not get involved in this “he said, she said” situation. No one has a right to lock up someone else’s dog, he said. People need to file a complaint about loose animals instead of taking matters into their own hands, he added. If the dog was dangerous, the sheriff could have picked up the animal. The council tabled until next month the town’s proposed dog control ordinance. Attorney Max Carlson in Julesburg is looking over the Logan County Dog Control Ordinance to see if it needs any adjustments specific for Peetz, and he has not finished with his examination.

CONNECTICUT

No report for Connecticut

DELAWARE

No Report for Delaware

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Washington, DC - (7/18/08) - On Tuesday, the city council unanimously approved B17-89, which includes stiffer penalties for spectators at dogfights. In addition to stricter penalties for people who attend dogfights – making it a felony instead of a misdemeanor – the bill also allows for courts to order those found guilty of animal cruelty to seek counseling. The measure also includes a section that requires law enforcement and child and protective service workers to report suspected pet abuse, or when they see an animal at the home of someone who’s suspected of abusing a child, adult, or pet. Other provisions called for in the ordinance:
Require permits for commercial dog breeders who raise and sell 25 animals per year. Establish licensing, immunization, insurance, and notification requirements for commercial guard dogs.
Require the inclusion of pets in disaster plans. Increase licensing fees for animals who are not spayed or neutered to encourage sterilization and reduce the euthanasia of shelter pets.
Sets up a spay-neuter fund to assist lower-income residents in gaining access to these services for their pets. B17-89 PASSED 07/15/08

FLORIDA

Ft. Pierce - (8/3/08) - Ft. Pierce could crack down on people who don't spay or neuter their pets. The city's mayor wants higher fees for people who fail to do so. Mayor Bob Benton wants to follow St. Lucie County's model. There owners who do not fix their pets pay higher license fees. Fines are also issued for those who do not spay or neuter their pet

Lee County - (8/3/08) - Tears flowed and a heated debate ensued during a roundtable discussion about proposed changes at Lee County Animal Services on how long to hold animals before they are euthanized. The roundtable discussion was called by Lee County Commissioner Brian Bigelow, who says he has questions about the agency’s decision to hold stray animals for three days instead of five before they are eligible for adoption, and feral cats would immediately be put down, among other recent policy changes. The previous policy was to hold stray animals for five days and feral cats for three days.

Ormond Beach - (8/3/08) - City commissioners are slated to decide at their meeting Wednesday night (8/6/08) whether to contract with the Flagler Humane Society for animal services. Commissioners were originally scheduled to vote at their meeting last week on a one-year contract with the Flagler Humane Society for the impoundment and care of stray, wild and domestic animals captured or impounded within the city. But at that July 28 meeting, City Commissioner Lori Gillooly said she wanted to see if it would still be possible to contract with Halifax Humane Society instead. Gillooly said she would do some research and report back to commissioners on Wednesday. The meeting is set to begin at 7 p.m. in commission chambers.
To meet city and state laws dealing with stray animals, animal bites and animal investigations, Ormond Beach is required to provide secured facilities that can be used to hold and quarantine animals. The city does not have facilities of its own that can be used for shelter and impoundment of animals. The proposed new contract with Flagler Humane Society would run from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2009. The contract wouldn't carry any additional expenses over the current contract the city has with the shelter, according to city records. The proposed contract has a $38 fee per animal per day of impoundment, not to exceed five days, according to city records. There is also a $25 fee per animal for every emergency after-hours response and for every animal requiring quarantine services. Halifax Humane Society had proposed rates that would have meant a five-day per animal impoundment cost of $195, or $39 per animal per day. Halifax Humane Society was also proposing additional fees of $13.33 per animal for euthanasia and $33.33 per animal for required lab exams. Ormond Beach officials now say they're saving a "significant" amount of money over previous years with Halifax Humane Society. City officials also point out the Flagler Humane Society is a no-kill facility, adopting out unclaimed, impounded domestic animals as an alternative to euthanasia.

Palm Beach County - (7/29/08) - More than 200 Palm Beach County residents have received free permits to breed their dogs and cats under a series of new laws designed to curb the number of unwanted pets that are turned in to the county's animal shelter each year.
Residents have until Friday to apply for the permit and two license tags free. After that, they'll be charged $150. They will also have to pay $75 for each tag. Palm Beach County commissioners approved the controversial permit in February. It requires hobby breeders to give animal care and control officials the names, addresses and phone numbers of the people who buy or are given their pets. The breeders will also be required to print their permit number in advertisements touting their puppies and kittens. The new rules took effect April 1, but county officials gave breeders a 90-day grace period to apply for the permit free. Those who apply during the grace period will continue to receive the permit free for the rest of their lives, as long as they are not found in violation of any of the county's animal control ordinances.

Tallahassee - (8/3/08) - City Commission set a new ordinance in Tallahassee, to make sure pet owners are properly disposing of their pet's waste. The long debated ordinance went into affect on Friday, requiring dog owners to pick up their pet's waste, or face a fifty dollar fine.
The reason, damage to the city's water quality. City Officials say one of the big polluters to the water quality is the nutrients found in animal waste. Although officials are not going to assign code-enforcement officers to patrol for puppy poop, if a person receives enough complaints, violators could face up to five hundred dollars in fines, if continuous violations occur.
The ordinance applies to all public spaces and recreational areas in the city, including biking trails, lakes, and sports fields. Throwing pet waste in the trash is actually against the law in some communities. Some alternatives for proper waste disposal are flushing it down the toilet or burying it at least five inches in the ground. Although dogs aren't the only source of animal waste, the ordinance gives pet owners an extra incentive to clean up after their pets.

Volusia County - (7/31/08) - The Council agenda for the 8/7/08 meeting includes a draft ordinance updating the Animal Control ordinance and facility standards for domestic animals. The amendment to the Animal Control ordinance provides criteria for licensing hobby breeders, including the care and number of animals. The proposed standards for domestic animal facility would be added to the Zoning Code as criteria. Recommended Motion:
Authorize advertising the draft ordinance for the August 21, 2008 meeting and provide direction on the proposed standards for domestic animal facilities

Walton County - newly formed Walton County Animal Control Advisory Committee is researching six related issues including spaying and neutering, sheltering and feral cats. Once their research is complete, the commission will revise the Animal Control ordinance.

GEORGIA

Bainbridge - (7/18/08) - Dog attack spurs need for dog control ordinance. There are state laws with rules and regulations in place that owners of vicious dogs must follow, including having signs posted and using a certain type of enclosure/pen. A dog is deemed vicious by a dog control officer, and if regulations are violated, resulting in an incident like a dog bite, there can be a $300 to $500 fine. If it happens a second time, the dog can be taken away from its owner. Alday explained that some of the state laws cannot yet be implemented."State law gives authority to the county, but an administrative procedure must be put into place," Alday said.Alday said he is writing up an ordinance to go before the county commissioners that will outline procedures to include registration policies, fees and penalties. Mr. Yates said he's mad about the incident and plans to go before the Board of County Commissioners to address the need for a dog control ordinance.

Rome - (7/30/08) - Animal control has recently begun enforcing the City of Rome’s tougher restrictions on pets — on property or on leash at all times ... or else. Or else promises to be a lot harder on the pet than the owner as the ordinance also says: “Any dog or other animal within the city without an owner, or any dog or other animal running at large at any time ... shall be impounded or confined in the animal control center for a period of 72 hours for redemption by the owner, if any. Any dog or other animal not redeemed in accordance with this section may be released to the humane society. Any dog or other animal not redeemed in accordance with this section or not accepted by the humane society in accordance with this section shall be destroyed in a humane manner.” If the owner doesn’t want to bail the animal out and pay the fine, the actual “victim” in this scenario gets the death penalty.
There’s something fundamentally wrong with this approach. IN THE UNINCORPORATED area, the ordinance is different as is the population density. There, pets such as dogs and cats can roam freely off the owner’s property so long as no complaint results. This isn’t to say that greater awareness of Rome’s leash law, along with enforcement, isn’t necessary. It’s surprising how many pure-bred dogs one sees romping loose in some neighborhoods. IT IS TO SAY that imposing a possible death penalty on a dog or cat that has an irresponsible or inattentive owner is pretty harsh.

HAWAII

No Report for Hawaii

IDAHO

No Report for Idaho

ILLINOIS

Some highlights from Illinois Public Health and Safety Animal Population Control Act: (Anna's Law) Expands the definition of owner to include anyone who knowingly permits a dog to remain on any premises occupied by him or her. Requires any owner of a dog running at large to pay, in addition to any other fines, a $25 public safety fine. Counties or municipalities keep $5 of the fine. Requires owners of dogs deemed "dangerous" to pay a $50 public safety fine to the state.
Requires owners of dogs deemed to be "vicious" to pay a $100 public safety fine to the state.
Requires owners of biting animals to pay a $25 public safety fine to the state. $500 state fine if owner fails to comply with requirements of vicious dog plus impoundment fees. Reimburses private veterinarians for the sterilization-vaccinations of dogs and cats of disadvantaged owners and feral cat caretakers. Director of Public Health sets reimbursement fees. Owner pays co-pay of $15 for sterilization and vaccinations. Requires shelters to offer animals they deem "adoptable" for placement prior to euthanasia. Expands the time to 10 business days that an animal control authority has to notify an owner that his or her dog is subject to a dangerous dog investigation. Reduces the burden of proof needed to declare a dog to be dangerous from clear and convincing to a preponderance of the evidence. Gives animal control authority the right to impound a dangerous dog if the owner fails to comply with the microchipping, sterilization or public safety fine requirements. Does not allow a person to remove a microchip from a dog for the purposes of destroying or concealing its identity. Deletes tormenting as a justification for a dog biting someone.

Chicago - (7/30/08) - During three hours of debate, aldermen expressed doubts about the proposal and questioned whether an ordinance requiring spaying or neutered of pets by age 6 months was even enforceable. The aldermen who sponsored the ordinance cited dog attacks on Chicago residents as one of the reasons behind it, and said sterilized animals are less likely to be vicious. A violation would result in a ticket ordering the owner to have the pet fixed. If that failed, a $100 fine would be issued after 60 days. If another 60 days passed, a second fine could reach $500, and the city could impound and sterilize the animal. Owners couldn't reclaim then until paying the fines and other costs. The proposal is backed by PAWS Chicago, a no-kill humane organization focused on reducing the number of stray animals, and the Humane Society of the United States. It's opposed by the Chicago and Illinois State Veterinary Medical Associations, which say decisions on pet sterilization are best made by a veterinarian and pet owner. For now, it's on hold.

Carmi - The mayor also said a previously raised issue concerning possible tough restrictions on pit bull dogs is a dead issue after he received a letter from the director of the Department of Agriculture advising him that breed-specific ordinances are prohibited under the Illinois Animal Control Act. He also said case law, derived from an Ohio case, has given courts precedent to overturn breed-specific legislation and ordinances.

Danville - City Council subcommittee is looking at the city code regarding dangerous and vicious dogs, and deciding whether the code should be stronger or broader. The City Attorney told the members or the subcommittee they had free rein and were not limited by the city and state statutes. The only restriction, he said, is that a law cannot be breed-specific.

PARK CITY - (7/19/08) - Aldermen decided Thursday to repeal the city's existing dog licensing ordinance and replace it with more stringent controls over vicious dogs.
Village attorney Peter Karlovics said the former ordinance was outdated and unenforceable. The new ordinance eliminates city dog registration requirements and concentrates on preventing vicious dog attacks. "In response to concerns from some pet owners, the ordinance is not breed-specific," Karlovics said. "The ordinance addresses the behavior of any dog that poses a danger to the public."
The new ordinance provides that once police inform a pet owner that his dog is a potential or actual menace to the public, the dog must either be confined indoors or within an outdoor fenced enclosure. The fence must be at least six feet high.
If a vicious dog is removed from a resident's premises the animal must be under the owner's direct supervision and control, be securely muzzled and restrained by a metal leash. Police will destroy any vicious dogs found running free, those which cannot be impounded. The city also imposed a leash law on all dogs when off an owner's property. Any dog found running at large will be captured and impounded. The owner can redeem the dog within three days by paying a $100 fee, plus the actual cost of caring for the animal. If the dog is not redeemed within five days, the animal will be destroyed.

INDIANA

No Report for Indiana

IOWA

Johnston - (8/1/08) - Johnston pet owners seem to be doing a slightly better job of picking up after their pets as a result of city-ordinance amendments that took effect in the spring. Before March, the Johnson city ordinance instructed pet owners to remove their pet's bodily excretions from property other than their own and properly dispose of the waste, but the ordinance did not specify any penalties. Under the amended ordinance, fines range from $25 for a first offense to $50 for each subsequent violation. Deb Schiel-Larson, city planner and landscape architect for the city of Johnston, authored the amendments because the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' rules for storm-water management required the city to craft a stronger policy on the cleanup of animal waste. One resident who frequently walks and jogs in the northern portion of Johnston, said she feels the incidence of dog waste on trails and public property may be declining - but city leaders still may have their work cut out for them."I've noticed more of a problem with duck or geese waste around the ponds." "I think they should focus more on the waterfowl waste than on anything else. It is really bad."

Shenandoah - (8/1/08) - Sheriff discusses animals - ANIMAL PROTECTION AND CONTROL: Chapter 55, Section .01-.24, City of Shenandoah Code of Ordinances. The City of Shenandoah has ordinances regulating the ownership and control of pets. Dogs are a popular animal, and because of their size and potential for creating a nuisance, I will be discussing some of our canine pet laws.
- 55.06 AT LARGE PROHIBITED. It is unlawful for any owner to allow an animal to run at large within the corporate limits of the City. Most of us have seen unsupervised dogs running about in our community during all hours of the day and night. Running at large refers to any area beyond the dog owner's property boundaries where an unsupervised dog is roaming. Many dog owners feel if they let Fido or Scruffy out to run free late at night or early in the morning, no harm is done. This simply is not the case. The ordinance is applicable 24 hours a day, not just during daylight hours. If your dog leaves your property at anytime without being on a leash (not more than 6 feet long) or at heal (within 10 feet), you are in violation of the ordinance. At heal is at best risky unless the dog is well trained and not prone to taking off after a squirrel, rabbit, or other animal.
- 55.09 VICIOUS AND DANGEROUS ANIMALS. No person shall own, keep or harbor a vicious or dangerous animal within the City. Certain animals by nature are considered dangerous, ie. lions, tigers, and bears (oh my ... just had to say that.) Dogs may also be classified vicious merely by their actions, usually involving the biting of a human or domesticated animal without cause or justification. In addition to any fines levied by the magistrate, and depending on the seriousness of the bite, a dog that has bitten, may be destroyed by court order. All dogs bite ... that is their primary defense mechanism. Let me say this again ... ALL DOGS BITE. No matter how cute, friendly, or cuddly they may be with their owner(s), they will still bite if threatened or in a protective mode. Therefore, it is essential to always properly supervise your dog when they are around other humans or domesticated animals.
- 55.08 ANNOYANCE OR DISTURBANCE. It is unlawful for the owner of a dog to allow or permit such dog to cause serious annoyance or disturbance to any person or persons by frequent and habitual howling, yelping, barking, or otherwise; or, by running after or chasing persons, bicycles, automobiles or other vehicles. This is probably the most common animal complaint we receive at the police department. Late night barking or howling can ruin anyone's sleep. I am always amazed as to how often dog owners claim they did not hear Fido barking in the back yard, yet all the neighbors within a 3 block square area can hear the noise quite clearly. Anyway, dog owners need to better supervise those dogs that are penned up or tethered outside. An alert dog can be a good alarm system for intruders or pesky sales persons, but continual barking, day or night, may qualify as an annoyance or public disturbance which may carry penalties for the dog owner.
Jim Davey is Shenandoah's Interim Police Chief and will be starting his last full week with the role as Kris Grebert takes over Aug. 8.

Sioux City - (7/18/08) - Sioux City's City Council is looking at a proposal that could ban folks from owning pit bulls. Officials say only 3% of dogs registered in the city are pit bulls, but they account for nearly 5o% of all dog bites. The proposal would allow residents who currently own registered pit bulls to keep them, but prohibit folks from bringing new dogs in. It would also allow breeders to keep pit bull puppies until they're six months old, as long as the parents are registered. Pit bulls caught without a license, risk being put down, unless the owner shows they can keep that dog outside the city limits. City council is set to take up the issue at Monday's meeting. (7/21/08) UPDATE: (7/29/08) The city council in Sioux City has delayed a decision on an ordinance that would ban pit bulls in the city limits. Councilman Dave Ferris says the council wants to give residents time to come back with an alternative to a proposed ban within the city limits. Last week, the council gave preliminary approval to a proposal that would allow current pit bull owners to keep their dogs as long as they were licensed and registered. The owners would not be able to replace their pets with pit bulls once they died, nor could anyone adopt a new pit bull. The ordinance also carried exceptions for animal shelters and show dogs. The council gave residents time to come up with an alternative plan after about 20 residents spoke at Monday's meeting, many of them in opposition to the ban.

Spencer - City Council first filing on changes to the "Vicious Animals Ordinance" was unanimously approved (07/21/08). A vicious animal: A Staffordshire Terrier breed, American Pit-bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or any dog which has the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the breeds of Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit-bull Terrier, or American Staffordshire.

Sprit Lake - two amendments were made to the vicious animal ordinance at the Spirit Lake City Council meeting Tuesday evening. The first states that a dangerous dog must have an identifying microchip inserted beneath the skin. The second amendment states that the dog must be spayed or neutered and proof of the sterilization must be presented to the city. Council member Clyde Ihrke said he would like to see more information and research before making a decision on the ordinance. The item was tabled.

Woodbury County -(7/30/08) - The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors is looking at banning pit bulls in the county. Under the proposed city ban, owners would have to register their current pets, but no new pitbulls would be allowed within city limits. County supervisor Larry Clausen says the board's attorney is researching the topic and they'll know more information in about three weeks.

KENTUCKY

Flemingsburg - (7/16/08) - Judge Executive Larry Foxworthy and the magistrates discussed at length a noise ordinance that would provide a basis for handling loud noises, in particular the barking of multiple dogs. “We need to determine what is unreasonably loud and disturbing,” Foxworthy said. “There will be gray areas.” Magistrate Kenny Souder was concerned about creating more problems by passing an ordinance directed at people’s animals. County Attorney John Price said an ordinance would allow penalties to be in place for problems.
“It would be like public disturbance, any noise if you can hear it from a public way,” Price said. “You could serve a citation with this ordinance.” Magistrate Allen Argo said the biggest problem would be determining what is a nuisance. The sheriff would make that determination, according to Price. The problem arose due to a home on Tea Run Road that houses dozens of dogs. According to neighbors, the dogs bark all the time, not just at night. Foxworthy wants the problem addressed before some one is harmed by the dogs. “We don’t want it to take one biting a kid before we do something,” he said. A copy of the ordinance was given to each magistrate; however changes were made before the final draft. No vote was taken on the matter, but it will be reviewed in August when all magistrates are present. David DeAtley was absent from the meeting held July 8 at the courthouse.

Newport - (7/20/08) - Pit bulls and other potentially dangerous dogs must now have insurance coverage in case of a violent attack. New city regulations passed by the city council require such dogs' owners to obtain insurance coverage, as well have microchips implanted in their pets to provide the owner's personal information. Brian Steffen, division manager for Newport's code enforcement department, said the new regulations are meant to increase owner responsibility and reduce the number of dog attacks. A vicious dog will be determined either by breed, with pit bulls or pit bull mixes automatically selected, or through any past violent actions by the animal.

LOUISIANA

HB 1193/ACT 894 - Louisiana lawmakers approved kennel licensing and fee requirements for dog breeders. Individuals or businesses that possess more than five dogs and breed and sell, must obtain kennel licenses and pay kennel fees. Violators are subject to fines of up to $500.
Became law without the signature of the governor 07/16/08

MAINE

Brooklin - (7/16/08) - The local Appeals Board unanimously upheld recent action taken by the Planning Board in denying two separate appeals against the Planning Board’s decision to issue a permit for a dog-boarding business on Harriman Point. The Planning Board had issued a one-year permit to Carol Ann Cutler on April 10, allowing her to board up to three dogs, in addition to the three dogs she owns, at her home on Harriman Point Road. Paula Dougherty and Linda Freedman filed separate appeals within the 30-day deadline that started when the permit was issued. Following a nearly 90-minute hearing on Freedman’s appeal, which included testimony from her, the Appeals Board voted unanimously to deny her appeal. “I think the Planning Board was very judicious in issuing the permit for one year, then reviewing it,” Appeals Board member Benjamin Mendlowitz said before the vote was taken. “They addressed all concerns. I don’t see anything to overturn.” Appeals Board Chairman Bob Austin said Freedman’s appeal focused on two complaints and argued that the Planning Board erred in its interpretation of “home occupation” allowed in Brooklin’s shoreland zone and also erred in its review of potential harm to wildlife habitat from the dog-boarding operation.

MARYLAND

Baltimore - (7/21/08) - To better serve the animals and people of the Baltimore community, the five major animal welfare organizations in Baltimore have come together to form the Baltimore Animal Welfare Alliance (BAWA). Though such coalitions are a national trend, this will be the first of its kind in Maryland. The organizations will share resources, conduct joint events and work together to find homes for pets.
The five organizations are: The Maryland SPCA, Humane Society of Baltimore County, Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, and both the city and county Animal Control offices. In August of 2004, a group of animal welfare industry leaders from across the nation convened at Asilomar in Pacific Grove, Calif., for the purpose of building bridges across varying philosophies, developing relationships and creating goals focused on reducing the number of animals euthanized in the United States. The outcome was the Asilomar Accords, which include a set of guiding principles, standardized definitions, a statistics table for tracking shelter populations and a formula for determining shelter live release rates -- all so shelters and other stakeholders can get a better understanding of progress nationwide.
You can read more about it here.

Frederick - County Animal Control Division will present an anti-tethering proposal to the county commissioners Tuesday. The commissioners will decide if they want to hold a public hearing on the proposal. Under the proposed law, Animal Control officers could write a civil citation to anyone keeping a dog on a chain or rope outside for more than 10 hours cumulatively in a 24-hour period. It also sets up regulations on the length of the tether and requires covered shelter for dogs at all times, along with daily feeding and accessible water. UPDATE: (7/30/08) The Frederick County Commissioners voted Tuesday to take the proposal to a public hearing. They also rejected a proposal to ban unattended chaining completely. Under their recommendation, it would become a civil violation to keep dogs on a chain or rope more than 10 hours cumulatively within a 24-hour period. The proposal also defines proper shelter, food and water for dogs. According to the proposed ordinance, civil fines would be $50 for a first offense, $75 for a second offense and $100 for a third offense. Current state law does prevent animal cruelty, but does not define shelter and does not have enforceable anti-chaining guidelines.

MASSACHUSETTS

Revere - (7/31/08) - Revere city officials have begun foreclosure proceedings on Wonderland Greyhound Park for failure to pay $789,293 in taxes over the last two years.
Wonderland Park, the city's eighth biggest taxpayer and now the city's largest tax delinquent, also owes $16,673.70 in water and sewer bills, said George M. Anzuoni, Revere's director of finance. The figures were calculated through Aug. 1 and include interest and fees. The track has been delinquent since 2006, city officials said. But city councilors were surprised to learn last week that the track was able to obtain annual liquor and restaurant licenses, as well as a special permit for parking at a track-owned parking lot while delinquent on taxes. That is a violation of a local ordinance. Mayor Thomas G. Ambrosino had no answers when he was questioned by City Council President George V. Colella at a meeting Monday.

MICHIGAN

HB6354 - A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled"Public health code," (MCL 333.1101 to 333.25211) by adding section 20200. Sec. 20200. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a guide dog or other service animal that is accompanying an individual with disabilities, which animal is especially trained and educated for that purpose, shall be allowed to stay with the individual with disabilities in a health facility or agency. During an emergency situation, the health facility or agency shall presume that an animal that is accompanying an individual with disabilities is a guide dog or other service animal that is especially trained and educated for that purpose if the animal is wearing a guide dog or leader dog harness, a blaze orange leash and collar, a hearing dog cape, or a service animal backpack.
Status: Senate Committee on Health Policy.

Allen Park - City Council's legal affairs committee received a proposal to ban dogs in the community (07/22/08) UPDATE: (8/3/08) - The City Council's Legal Affairs Committee is to meet Tuesday (8/5/08) to consider outlawing the breed -- and dogs that are part pit bull -- after two pit bull mixes killed one of Councilwoman Beverly Kelley's dogs and injured the other last month. Under the proposed ordinance, owning a pit bull would become a misdemeanor with a penalty of up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine, Guerriero said. Pit bulls already owned by residents would not be affected. Other communities that have pit-bull ordinances include Melvindale, Grosse Pointe Woods, Ecorse and Highland Park. In May, Livingston County adopted a resolution preventing the county Animal Control Department from adopting out so-called bully breeds. Campaigns to ban pit bulls in Plymouth and Detroit failed.

Farmington Hills - (7/31/08) - The council is set to pass a new ordinance giving animal owners a chance to correct an animal’s bad behavior before landing in the court system. Shannon Ozga from City Attorney Steve Joppich’s office presented the ordinance to the council and three residents at the study session. The ordinance doesn’t ban any specific animal or breed of animal, but rather targets dangerous or potentially dangerous animals of any kind. The ordinance will call for an Animal Review Board to be established, consisting of City Manager Steve Brock, Fire Chief Rich Marinucci and Police Chief Rich Niemisto, or others appointed within their departments, to review incidents involving dangerous animals. A dangerous animal is defined by the ordinance as any animal that bites or attacks a person or causes serious injury to a person or domestic animal. A potentially dangerous animal is one that has caused any less severe injury to a person or domestic animal, chases or acts in an aggressive manner without being provoked, or has run at large and been impounded by an animal control agency three or more times in a 12 month period. The ordinance details how an animal owner will be notified after a complaint has been made and will receive notice of a hearing of the review board on the matter. It the animal owner doesn’t schedule a hearing, the animal will receive the designation of dangerous or potentially dangerous and it will be final. If they choose to attend the hearing, they will be given a chance to testify and present evidence before a determination is made. If an owner cannot be identified in the first place, the animal will be confiscated and an owner has seven days to claim it. All animals determined to be dangerous or potentially dangerous must be registered with the city, in addition to dogs’ registration required by Oakland County. There are specific guidelines owners of dangerous or potentially dangerous animals must abide by in order to keep their animal in the city, as defined by the ordinance, including holding at least a $1.5 million insurance policy on the animal to protect potential victims. There also is a list of reasons why the animals can be confiscated if the owners do not follow various guidelines of ownership.
The ordinance will be introduced at the council’s Aug. 11 meeting, at 7:30 p.m. at Farmington Hills City Hall, 31555 W. 11 Mile Road. The public is welcome to comment on the ordinance at the meeting. The council likely will schedule passage of the ordinance or a subsequent meeting after discussing it and hearing public comment.

Shelby - (7/30/08) - Shelby Village Council Ordinance committee Chairman Rich Setlak reported July 29 that the committee is reviewing its dog ordinance. The committee is looking to put teeth into its dog ordinance by requiring dogs be leashed, accompanied by a person and under control at all times. Setlak said the current ordinance does not require dogs to be restrained while under supervision or on their own property. Setlak also said he thinks a county animal control officer be on call at all times to deal with issues as they come up.
The suggested amendments will be sent to the village attorney for review, and a public hearing will be scheduled.

MISSISSIPPI

Gulfport - (7/17/08) - PETA says chained dogs are deprived of the social interaction they need, which can make them aggressive. "Man's best friend deserves better than being chained up like an old bicycle," said PETA Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. "Gulfport officials would do a good deed for their constituents and for dogs by banning this cruel, dangerous practice." In its letter to the city, PETA points to numerous studies showing how chained dogs are more prone to attack. Kim Stanton, interim director of the spay/neuter clinic at the Humane Society of South Mississippi, told the Sun Herald that chained dogs are three times as likely to bite as unchained dogs. Councilwoman Barbara Nalley, who agreed chaining dogs makes them more aggressive, said it is time the city review its animal laws. "We have a tremendous issue with animals in this city," she said. "We do need to look at our ordinances and address them and I'll be the first to start that discussion."

Jackson - (7/30/08) - Tony Evans Jr. died the night of July 22 after police say he wandered into a carport at 112 Maple Ridge Drive across the street from his home and was attacked by Blue Eyes - a 2-year-old white male pit bull that was on a chain. Meanwhile, the Jackson City Council agreed during a council meeting Tuesday to re-examine the city's dog ordinances. Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon said the toddler's death highlights the need to rework the ordinances. Following the meeting, Council President Leslie Burl McLemore said dog ordinances would be taken up by the council's planning committee in August.
He said he would like the council to consider giving more power to the animal control officers and to require all dog owners to register their pets. He said he does not know if he will be able to get the four votes from council members needed to make the changes. "I hope four of us will say, 'Hell, yeah, we ought to register these damn dogs,'" he said.

Leflore County - Leflore County now has an ordinance regulating pit bulls. The law requires pit bull owners to:
Hold the dogs in secure four-sided pens with tops that are at least 6 feet high and have concrete floors; Post a sign saying, “Dangerous Dog”; Muzzle them and keep them on a leash when outside the cage; Spay or neuter the dogs; Be 21 years old; Register with the Leflore County Humane Society; and Buy a $100,000 insurance policy or post a $100,000 cash surety to pay for injuries the dog may cause. Penalties for violations range from $100 to $500 and increase with each offense.The pit bulls will be confiscated until the conditions of the law are met. After three offenses, the dog is permanently confiscated. The law does not cover other breeds.
Aubrey Whittington, president of the Humane Society, praised the board for passing the ordinance.“You have shown that you care about the welfare and safety of the Leflore County citizens and their children,” she said. “You have taken a giant step in the right direction, and I hope the other counties and the cities will follow your fine example.”Whittington said the Humane Society will work with the county to enforce the ordinance. The ordinance must be advertised in the newspaper for three weeks and will take effect 30 days after that.

MISSOURI

Independence - (7/14/08) - In a week, the Independence City Council will hear the first reading of an ordinance that would amend the city’s current animal control code. The change would allow up to four pets of any kind in a home. Currently, the code stipulates a kennel license is needed to keep in the home more than two dogs or two cats over the age of six months. Next Monday, the council will allow 10 speakers – five people representing each side. Council Member Will Swoffer made the suggestion and the council approved the motion. After the public hearing, the new ordinance will be read for the first time, with a second reading and vote Aug. 4.

MONTANA

No Report for Montana

NEBRASKA

North Platte - (7/18/08) - Some laws are fairly stringent when it comes to how commercial breeders and puppy dealers are supposed to keep detailed records of how many animals they sell. Those requirements also include keeping names and addresses of everyone who buys an animal from them, a detailed veterinarian health plan for each animal, and they are required by law to dispense spay and neutering information to each customer.And every customer has a right to see the environment that the animal is coming from, as well as a right to verify documentation of any of those laws.But without efficient enforcement and a better definition of the animal's environment pertaining to its welfare, irresponsible breeding and puppy mill operations will continue to operate. Nebraska has only recently strengthened the laws of the Animal Welfare Act to increase penalties for this kind of neglect. Given the seriousness of suspected puppy mill operations in Lincoln County, The Telegraph requested to accompany the NDA inspector to areas in and around North Platte, but were denied that request. NDA Public Relations officer Christin Kamm denied that request saying, "Our inspectors have a working relationship with these folks."The question as to whether the working relationship was more important than the welfare of the animal had not been answered by NDA authorities as of press time. Within Nebraska's laws, there is also a stipulation that says anyone who sells less than 30 dogs or cats per year is not required to be licensed as a commercial breeder or dealer.

Omaha - (7/16/08) - Two more Nebraska cities are considering a ban on pit bulls, becoming the latest additions to the ever-growing list. Holdrege began discussions Tuesday night in a city council meeting. The Hastings City Council talked Monday after a local man was attacked Omaha - Update: (7/17/08) - An Omaha committee exploring possible restrictions on pit bulls narroweddiscussions Wednesday to three options: a "potentially dangerous dog"ordinance, a partial ban or a total ban.The committee - formed last month by Mayor Mike Fahey - met in closed session for 90 minutes Wednesday.Specifics of each option were not worked out during the meeting, said CityCouncilman Garry Gernandt, who is a committee member."Those three options contain several variables," Gernandt said. "I recommended that the city lawyers and the Humane Society get together and hammer out a line-by-line proposal of the options." The committee is made up of 12 representatives: two from the Mayor's Office, one from the Police Department, three from the city's law department, five from the Nebraska Humane Society, and one from City Council. The committee is expected to meet again next week, Gernandt said. Once the full committee has agreed on a proposal, it will make arecommendation to the mayor and City Council. UPDATE: (8/1/08) - Omaha city leaders said they are making more progress in efforts to create an ordinance to deal with dangerous dogs. A mayoral committee plans to meet again soon to work on a final draft of new rules for people who own pit bulls. The committee hopes to get an ordinance to the city council by the middle of August. Omaha City Council member Gary Gernandt said his committee is circulating a third draft of a combination dangerous dog ordinance and partial pit bull pan. He said the focus is maximizing public safety without having to totally ban pit bulls. “I think we should be looking not at the lower end of the leash, but who’s behind the leash,” he said. Gernandt said a total ban on pit bulls would likely result in an overstressing of Humane Society resources. He estimated animal control technicians would have to take in as many as 80 animals every week. Whatever plan the committee approves would have to go through three readings and a public hearing before it could take effect.

Ralston - (7/30/08) - The city has shelved talk of banning pitbulls. The topic arose in July in Ralston following several serious dog attacks elsewhere. Ralston City Council President Jerry Krause suggested that Ralston explore a ban on the animals. In July, the Nebraska Humane Society said there were only a half-dozen dogs of that breed registered in the city. City Attorney Mark Klinker said that after Ralston talked of prohibiting the breed, City Hall received a barrage of public feedback, the majority of which urged the city to not ban a specific breed of dog. "I think the city is going to take a wait-and-see attitude,'' he said on Tuesday. "We'll get feedback from what Omaha and Sarpy County do.''

NEVADA

No Report for Nevada

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Dover - (7/17/08) - Effective Jan. 1. Last month, Gov. John Lynch signed a bill that will provide specific shelter requirements for dogs living outside.According to the legislation, all dogs living outside must have "necessary shelter," which is defined as a structure that is fundamentally sound, protects the dog from direct sunlight and extreme cold, and has adequate air circulation. The shelter must keep the animal dry and allow it space to stand up, turn around and lie down.In the past, there has been a "very big problem" with people leaving their animals chained outside in inadequate shelters, according to Joanne Bourbeau, director of The Humane Society of the United States' regional office in Vermont. Under the old law, law enforcement officers did not have the authority to approach pet owners who were suspected of keeping their pets in substandard outside living conditions, as long as the animal was not injured.The bill received bipartisan support from Rep. Carla Skinder, D-Cornish, and Sen. Sheila Roberge, R-Bedford. Other states, including Maine, Vermont, New York and Virginia, have similar dog shelter laws like the one New Hampshire just adopted.

Hampton - (8/1/08) - Dogs are never allowed on the Hampton state beaches. Those beaches are North Beach, Hampton Beach, and Hampton Beach State Park. According to the town of Hampton ordinances kept at town hall, dogs are not allowed on town beaches either or in the water or at town parks. The town beaches are Sun Valley Beach and Plaice Cove Beach.
Canines are allowed at town parks if leashed and not constituting a nuisance. Also, dogs must be on a leash at all times unless they are on their owner's property or hunting under control of the owner. Another town ordinance states that owners of animals, with the exception of town-owned animals, aren't allowed to let the animal defecate on any public property unless the said defecation is removed immediately. This includes the streets, beaches, alleys, sidewalks, parks, and all public ground. Owners cannot let their animal defecate on private property, either, unless the defecation is removed immediately. Anyone who violates these rules will be fined no more than $50 for the first violation and no more than $100 for subsequent violations within the same year. Dogs are also not allowed in crowds, or within 100 feet of crowds, larger than 500 people. Anyone who violates this ordinance is subject to a fine of no less than $100 and no more than $250. MacKinnon said this ordinance was passed mostly for the Seafood Festival, a very well-attended event in Hampton, this year to be held from Sept. 5 to 7. Boissonneault said despite the ordinance, she sees many dogs at the Seafood Festival every year. Service animals are exempt from the crowd ordinance as they are defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

NEW JERSEY

THE Web site NRA huntersrights.org has reported before on animal rights' groups that try to push their so-called educational materials into our school systems, but none have been as crazy as this one. "The Zargon Connection" is part of a free "Humane and Responsible Teachers" curriculum designed for grades pre-K-9. Created by the New Jersey Animal Rights Alliance (NJARA), the package includes classroom exercises, activities and lesson plans. These documents include NJARA advice like discouraging field trips to zoos and aquariums because they "perpetuate the belief that it's acceptable to imprison animals." One of NJARA's issues is the killing of wildlife for management or sport, and the Zargon Connection is the educational tool they want teachers to use - on sixth graders. It is a science fiction story in which Earth is invaded by Zargonians-aliens that hunt and eat human beings for sport. Parts of Earth have been "designated as human management areas where they hunt us for pleasure and for our meat, which is considered a delicacy by Zargonian gourmets." "Occasionally, in a technique known as baiting, Zargonians will set up a fast food restaurant or pizza parlors and burst in on us while we eat, with their street sweepers blazing." NRAhuntingrights.org managing editor J.R. Robbins says he can't believe any elementary school teacher is foolish enough to use such demented material in a classroom. If you live in New Jersey, Robbins suggests you inquire if anything from NJARA is being used in your child's school. Even though the material is too extreme to take seriously, it still may find its way into a classroom

Trenton - (8/1/08) - The state Supreme Court Wednesday ordered a closer examination of how New Jersey farmers treat livestock, a decision animal-rights advocates hailed as nationally ground-breaking that drew mixed reactions locally. "We see this as a huge victory. No courts have ever really addressed farm-animal welfare issues," said Tricia Barry, spokeswoman for the group Farm Sanctuary, a national advocate for livestock. The court, in a unanimous decision, turned away a broad attack on the state's rules on the care of farm animals, but it did direct the state Department of Agriculture to harvest data from area veterinary schools and retool procedures. "In the court's words, the regulations as a whole are consistent with the meaning of the word "humane,'" said state Agriculture Department spokesman Jeff Beach.
Richard Nieuwenhuis, president of the New Jersey Farm Bureau, said, "I would characterize my reaction as being disappointed. The Agriculture Department and state veterinarians who drew up these standards are the people that deal with animals every day all day."

NEW MEXICO

Bernalillo County - is considering a ordinance is similar to HEART. Ordinance contains regulations, etc.: seizure of animals, permits and zoning, permits for hobby breeders, guard dogs, intact animals, litters, number of animals allowed per household and fees, pet licenses/permits and service fees.

Clovis - (8/2/08) - Members serving on Clovis’ Animal Control Task Force euthanasia subcommittee visited Roswell’s animal shelter Thursday to observe the lethal injection process as conducted by animal control. They viewed three dogs being euthanized, toured the facility and talked with officials there. Jal, Tucumcari, Clovis and Lovington are the only communities in the state still using gas, according to Clovis Mayor Gayla Brumfield. Animal rights proponents have recently pressured Clovis to switch to lethal injection, citing imminent change in regulations that will prohibit gas chambers.

Torrance County - County is holding a workshop September 2 at the county offices in Estancia on the latest version of an animal control ordinance it has been trying to put into place for years. Zoning, limit laws, tethering, allow county officials on private property if an animal faces imminent death and more will be discussed. (no link available)

NEW YORK

A03539 (2007) - Prohibits any person previously convicted of a drug felony to own, possess or harbor a dog weighing 20 lbs. or more and trained to attack or exhibiting viciousness
Assemblyman Thomas Kirwan is going to re-introducing the bill

Great Neck - (7/21/08) - The specific resolution under consideration, which was ultimately passed unanimously by the board members, pertained to the extent to which dogs would be permitted in certain park district facilities. The resolution, authored by the legal counsel for the Great Neck park district, would permit dog owners to walk their dogs on leashes in the Village Green during designated hours, with the exception of the playground, rose garden, and memorial areas. The resolution also included language that would allow dogs off leashes, depending on the hour, in the Peninsula Club property if a portion of it is developed as a dog park with fencing and signage. The vote was not for the creation of a dog park, but would be necessary to have in place if such a park were developed in the future. Earlier in the week on Tuesday, July 8, the majority of the members of Board of Trustees for the Village of Great Neck voted to advise the park district commissioners that they did not favor dog owners walking their pets on the Village Green itself, regardless of whether the animal was wearing a leash. Trustee Mitch Beckerman placed a dissenting vote on the matter.

NORTH CAROLINA

Cary - (7/30/08) - The purpose of the Task Force is to provide the Council with a recommendation on (1) animal sheltering options to reduce the euthanasia rate and (2) a potential spay/neuter ordinance and/or incentives.
The task force's timeline follows:
First meeting: June 24, 2008
Final recommendation: by August 12, 2008
Staff report to Operations Committee: September 4, 2008
Operations Committee recommendation to the Town Council: September 11, 2008
The Police Department will facilitate and provide agenda and minutes for the meeting. The staff contact is Kathleen Sanfratello, kathleen.sanfratello@townofcary.org, (919)469-4322.

Minutes from Animal Issues Task Force July 1, 2008

Minutes from Animal Issues Task Force July 15, 2008

*Ed.Note - We have information from good authority that the S/N issue will not be pursued. You'll have to trust us on that !

Transylvania County - (7/17/08) - Transylvania County Commissioners voted 3-2 to revise the county’s noise rules. Commissioners revised the noise ordinance, which was originally adopted in 1983, after District Attorney Jeff Hunt told them he could not prosecute under the old rules because they were too vague. Problems with barking dogs and the controversial dirt bike track in the Cherryfield community brought the issue to a head as citizens demanded something be done. The new ordinance prohibits residents from creating “unreasonably loud” or “disturbing” noises that are detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of any reasonable person. The revised noise ordinance defines an unreasonably loud noise as one “which is substantially incompatible with the time and location where created to the extent that it creates an actual or imminent interference with peace and good order. A noise is considered disturbing if it is “perceived by a person of ordinary firmness and sensibilities as interrupting the normal peace and calm of the area, neighborhood or vicinity.”
Factors that must be taken into account in determining whether a noise is unreasonably loud and/or disturbing include: - Time of day - Proximity to residences - Whether the noise is recurrent, intermittent or constant - Volume and intensity -Whether the noise has been enhanced in volume or range by mechanical or any type of electronic means - Whether the noise is related to the normal operation of a business, or other labor activity - Whether the noise is subject to being controlled without unreasonable effort or expense to the creator

NORTH DAKOTA

McKenzie - (8/3/08) - There were planning and zoning commission and two county commission meetings in Morton County concerning a proposed feedlot. The decision made was much bigger than one feedlot in one county in North Dakota. With activists from the East and West coasts wreaking havoc on animal agriculture, a decision made in the heartland was an important one. I believe the decision made in Mandan approving animal agriculture in an area zoned agricultural was the right decision.

OHIO

Lakewood - (7/21/08) - City Public Safety Committee recommended to council that a ban be passed but that dogs already living in the City of Lakewood be "grandfathered" in. Lakewood City Council voted for passage of the ordinance. Councilwoman Madigan was the only council member to vote against the ban. Councilwoman Madigan was articulate and made it clear that any dog is potentially dangerous if not controlled properly and that a new ordinance should focus on all irresponsible dog owners, not just owners of pit bulls. The new ordinance also has a zero tolerance aspect. If, without provocation, a pit bull "bites," the dog will be ordered out of the City. What is a bite? We've been seeing media reports of scratches. So, is a scratch a bite? And, how many pit bull incidents are reviewed for provocation? Resident that may own a dog that possibly could be identified as a "pit bull" dog, must register the dog with the City, must get insurance (already State law), erect a pen (if animal control so requires), must muzzle the dog while on walks on City streets and do a number of other things, require microchipping and pictures to be kept on file. Residents have 90-days from the passage of the ordinance to become compliant with the laws of Lakewood . PASSED 07/21/08

Ravenna - (7/8/08) - Several Ravenna residents Monday voiced their dissatisfaction with a proposed ordinance about vicious and dangerous dogs to City Council. If passed, the ordinance would require owners of pit bull breeds to register their dogs with the police department, or face prosecution. LuAnn Stuver Rogers, along with three other Ravenna residents, opposed the ordinance at the meeting, even though none of them own pit bulls. Rogers writes the weekly "Dog Tales" column for the Record-Courier. Councilman Bruce Ribelin said the city will host a public meeting Aug. 4 to entertain further dialogue between residents and to discuss possible changes to the draft resolution. The ordinance, seven pages in length, outlines possible regulation for dangerous and vicious dogs. If passed, failure to follow the ordinance could result in misdemeanor charges for the dog owner. The dogs that would need to be registered are different breeds of pit bull, including American pit bull terrier, bull terrier, Staffordshire terrier and American Staffordshire terrier. The ordinance defines a dangerous dog as one that "chased or approached in either a menacing fashion or an apparent attack, or has attempted to bite or otherwise endanger any person." Police dogs and dogs that are provoked into attack are exempt from the ordinance. According to the ordinance, a vicious dog is defined as one that has killed or caused injury to people has caused injury to or killed another dog or is a pit bull. Vicious dogs not only will need to be registered, but owners also will need to have the dog insured, and have a microchip implanted by a veterinarian. The ordinance was modeled after regulations in several other communities and has been proven to hold up in court. UPDATE: (8/3/08) - Opponents of legislation that would have required pit bull owners to register their dogs with the city of Ravenna have scored a victory. The city has scrapped the proposal, which was met with outcry when it was introduced in July. Part of the reason for the proposed legislation was so police would know where pit bulls reside in the city, said Councilman Bruce Ribelin.

South Euclid - (7/15/08) - There is a debate in South Euclid over a law that would limit how many pets a resident can own. Ravella Zimet said she's being attacked by city officials and her neighbors because she refuses to support the new law. "South Euclid has always been a pet-friendly community and to limit people who are good pet owners is the wrong decision to make," Susan Hoicowitz said. The city does not have a law limiting the amount of pets a resident can own. City officials have not made a final decision. Another meeting is scheduled in the coming weeks.

St. Marys - (7/31/08) - Members of a city committee Monday night agreed to meet to discuss possible legislation regarding a comprehensive leash law. The St. Marys Safety Committee is scheduled to meet at 5:15 p.m. Aug. 4 to discuss the topic. Safety-Service Director Tom Hitchcock said he plans to bring sample ordinances for safety committee members to discuss. Once presented to safety committee members, they will decide which ordinance, if any, to recommend to city councilors for further action. Councilors can decided to adopt a citywide leash law — an option pushed by 4th Ward Councilor Robin Willoughby — or leave the current ordinance unchanged. Under a current city ordinance, a dog is required to be on a leash if it is in a city park or if it is a female and is in heat. The next meeting of the St. Marys City Council is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 11 in the city building located along East Spring Street. The meeting is open to the public.

Whitehall - (7/17/08) - Whitehall police shot and killed a pit bull that attacked another dog and repeatedly charged an officer Saturday, July 12 at a residence in the 600 block of Beechwood Road.The incident refueled animosity at the Tuesday, July 15 meeting of Whitehall City Council. Just two weeks earlier, council members had adopted a new, breed-neutral policy concerning vicious animals and hoped to keep the community-dividing issue behind them.

OKLAHOMA

No Report for Oklahoma

OREGON

No Report for Oregon

PENNSYLVANIA

PSPCA calls for investigation of state dog wardens - Philadelphia - Following a raid and the seizure of 23 dogs at a Chester County kennel Thursday, Pennsylvania SPCA officials are calling for an investigation of the state dog wardens who they say ignored for years the animals' severe medical conditions. (7/19/08)

Connellsville - (7/16/08) - Connellsville City Council's proposed cat ordinance , introduced last month, would require cat owners to have their pets licensed. Under state law, all cats must have rabies shots. Proof of immunization will be required for licensing. The owner must include his or her address, name, color, age and sex of the cat. The license will be a durable tax including an ID number, year of issuance and the following information: Connellsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Cats must wear a collar with both the rabies tag and the license at all times. Licenses are not transferable. The license will be good for one year. McIntire offered tentative costs for license fees and penalties: $15 for a cat that is not neutered or spayed and $10 for a cat that has been neutered or spayed. McIntire said he would consider lower license fees for cats owned by senior citizens. Licenses must be obtained within 30 days after obtaining a cat older than 4 months or for cat owners within 30 days of the ordinance taking effect. Nonresidents may keep cats in Connellsville for up to 60 days without licensing. Anyone who does not obtain a license within the required time will be subject to a $50 delinquent fee. Licenses may be renewed within 60 days of the expiration date. All cats must be kept under restraint, which the ordinance defines as on the owner's property limits or on a leash or a lead or under the control of a responsible person. Every cat considered dangerous to people or other animals, as determined by the Connellsville animal control agent, currently the SPCA, must be confined to a building or a secure enclosure. No cat may cause a nuisance. The owner of every cat shall be held responsible for every behavior of the cat. Cats at large may be confined by animal control or the agent may notify the owner of the violation. Animal control agents have the authority to have cats determined to be suffering treated or euthanized at the owner's expense. The ordinance includes fees for reclaiming cats and penalties for noncompliance. Violating the ordinance will result in a fine of no less than $100 and no more than $250 plus court costs. The 30 days needed for the ordinance to be viewed by the public had not passed by Thursday's council meeting, so no action was taken.

Elizabeth Township - Lititz - (7-18-08) - Township supervisors, during a public hearing Monday, agreed to revise two points of the local law. The first involves maintenance of the exterior of properties, including the disallowance of grass and weeds over 12 inches high, unlicensed vehicles, trash and upholstered furniture stored outdoors. Drainage swales and sheds, etc., must be properly maintained. The rules apply to all areas of the property. The second is a dog ordinance, which "is new for this township," said Supervisor Chairman Jeff Burkholder. Dogs are not allowed to bark continuously for a half hour or more. Fines range from $50 to $1,000.

RHODE ISLAND

Central Falls - (7/31/08) - Two months after the City Council passed an ordinance banning pit bulls, the police officer in charge of enforcing the law says he still gets some surprised and slightly annoyed reactions from some residents found in possession of this canine contraband.
The ordinance, proposed by Animal Control Offer Joseph Bolvin, was voted into local law by the city council, taking effect on May 14. Shortly thereafter, the Times spoke to Bolvin about the specifics of the law and ran an article describing it. However, Bolvin said earlier this week that he still encounters people keeping pit bulls- and pleading ignorance with regard to the ordinance. And while he said he did not enjoy taking people’s pets from them, Bolvin added that there was one factor that often made the job of finding the illegal dogs easier. Those who got in trouble for violating the ordinance, it seems, have often been all to happy to name others also harboring pit bulls. “I’m loving every second of it,” he said. “It just makes my job much easier.”

SOUTH CAROLINA

Rock Hill - (8/4/08) - Several animal rights groups want the York County Council to outlaw chaining dogs. A few South Carolina communities have tethering laws. Simpsonville doesn't allow any tethering and Columbia only permits it for only nine hours each day. York Animal Clinic veterinarian Jaroslaw Zdanowicz said he believes a tethering ordinance would benefit the county's animals. John Mazur, a veterinarian with the Catawba Animal Clinic, also said he'd support a tethering ordinance, provided that it offers some exceptions, such as outlawing chains but allowing a trolley system. " But, he said, some of his clients have tethered their dogs and don't neglect them. And he's never seen evidence that says tethering dogs makes them dangerous. "The problem is," he said, "there's no specific proof, there's no empirical evidence, that it does that. It's just kind of common sense and what people feel." The recommendation that DDB will present to the County Council Aug. 18 actually allows some tethering. But chains should be off limits, they say. County Council Chairman Buddy Motz said he welcomes the suggestions of the animal rights' groups. "Any time that we can get recommendations that would help the quality of life of an animal, whether it's a dog or any other kind, would be something that we'd be receptive to hearing," he said. But before weighing in on an ordinance, Motz said he'd like to know more about the groups' ideas and get some input from county staff.

SOUTH DAKOTA

Britton - Marshall County - (7/17/08) - Animal control issues were discussed. City Attorney Rick Sommers advised the council of a revision in the dog barking ordinance that calls for notification of the dog owner on the first complaint, a $200 fine on the second complaint, and court action could result on the third complaint. The former ordinance called for a $25 fine on the first complaint, $50 on the second, and court proceedings on the third. First reading of that revision will be held at the August meeting. The next meeting of the council is set for Aug. 11.

TENNESSEE

Rockwood - (7/18/08) - City Council will discuss the topic of vicious dogs at its regular monthly meeting on Monday, July 21st, 2008. This meeting will be held at 7:00PM in the City Council Room, 110 Chamberlain Avenue in Rockwood.

TEXAS

Aubrey - (7/16/08) - Aubrey pit bull ordinance subject of hearing - The City Council will hold a public hearing on an ordinance that would restrict the ownership of pit bull terriers inside city limits. The hearing begins at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 107 S. Main St

Bulverde - City Council tabled the discussion about the new animal ordinances last Tuesday(07/22/08) pending the posting of the proposal document on the website and they suggested we have a workshop (open to the public) to discuss the issues. The proposed ordinance definitions "any animal business, including but not limited to any pet shop, grooming shop, dog obedience training center, animal auction, riding school or stable, performing animal exhibition, or boarding or breeding kennel, or cattery and cannot operate unless they are "licensed and located in a suitably zoned commercial zone." Next workshop/discussion is scheduled for Tuesday, 6:30PM (29 July) MORE FROM BELVERDE - (8/1/08) - The Bulverde City Council and Animal Control Committee met late into Tuesday night to discuss revisions to a proposed animal ordinance. The ordinance would give Bulverde residents greater autonomy when raising livestock and show animals.“I think its an excellent ordinance, there were a couple of items that were pointed out this evening that I think will improve it even further,” Mayor Ray Jeffrey said.He said the proposed ordinance would be considered at the next city council meeting on Aug. 12.“I think it’s much better than the current ordinance because it recognizes the activities that people out here in Bulverde appreciate, such as having livestock and taking care and having pets,” Jeffrey said.

Mesquite - (7/21/08) - The Mesquite City Council is joining forces with other communities in asking the Texas State Legislature to allow communities to decide for themselves whether to ban specific dog breeds.The measure is aimed at pit bulls.Councilman Dennis Tarpley said constituents frequently ask why the city won’t ban dangerous dogs, namely pit bulls.Tarpley said state law forbids cities from implementing such an ordinance.However, last month, the city of Duncanville agreed to help introduce legislature to change that law, and the council unanimously agreed Monday to follow Duncanville’s lead.

Madisonville - (7/17/08) - The city of Madisonville created a fire storm of controversy last February when it passed an ordinance banning pit bulls. Now, city leaders have had a change of heart. The city council amended the ordinance Monday to remove the ban on pit bulls. The ordinance now more closely resembles vicious animal ordinances found in other cities. The changes include the elimination of all references to a specific breed, namely pit bulls. Also gone are restrictions and fees placed on pit bull owners who were grand fathered under the ordinance. Plus, the prohibition on new pit bulls being introduced into the city was eliminated. The city came under fire from dog lovers across the country when the breed-specific law was implemented last winter.

Richland Hills - (7/13/08) High fines could be in store for pet owners who don’t obey strict new ordinances on dangerous animals and the tethering of dogs. The Richland Hills City Council unanimously approved the measures last week to help protect the animals and the public.
Included in those measures are 'Dangerous’ redefined & Rules for tethering. Violations: Up to $2,000 for each offense. Each day that a violation exists counts as a new offense.

UTAH

Orem - (7/30/08) - Two men in Orem found themselves surrounded and attacked by a pack of angry dogs Tuesday morning. It was the 25th pit bull attack in the city in the past year and a half, and now Orem is thinking about a ban on the dogs. Other cities have already banned pit bulls. Lt. Doug Edwards, with the Orem City Police Department, said, Orem is looking at adopting a pit bull ban. We found other cities in the nation have already done it. The year before Council Bluffs, Iowa, banned pit bulls, there were 29 reported attacks. Last year there were two, and so far this year they've had none. Don Bauermeister, a city attorney for Council Bluffs, said, "There's been less attacks, the numbers have gone down. We don't have as many pit bulls in Council Bluffs as we did in 2003, 2004." There are, of course, other breeds Orem will look at when considering banning. Some Chows, for instance, have a dangerous reputation, too.
But Utah's Humane Society says breed bans aren't the answer. In a press release, the Humane Society points out that "the 'problem dog' at any given time is the breed that's currently most popular with individuals who tend to be irresponsible, if not actually abusive, in the controlling and keeping of their pets." "If one breed is banned, these people just move on to another one."
It goes on to say that responsible breeding, training and ownership of all dogs should be the community's primary concern. The dogs involved in yesterday's attack have different owners. In addition to possible charges, the owners will be cited for letting their pets run loose. The dogs could be put down. Click here to access Orem's Home page for council members and city information.

VERMONT

No report for Vermont

VIRGINIA

A Message to all Va. residents from Bob Kane, President, VHDOA

Dear Virginia Parents and Grandparents,
Every year since 2005 Virginia's General Assembly is faced with one or more bills to mandate animal rightist curriculum in the Old Dominion's required k-12 education, usually employing activist "volunteers." Each session these efforts are harder to beat back. Do you want PETA or HSUS volunteers teaching your children "Your Mommy and Daddy Kill Animals?" As the Richmond legislature changes, that's very possible. Please take a more active role in blocking such animal rightist trash.
Freely forward and cross post.

Falls Church - (7/16/08) - Attorneys for the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund today filed suit in the U.S. District Court - District of Columbia to stop the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) from implementing the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), a plan to electronically track every livestock animal in the country. The MDA has implemented the first two stages of NAIS - property registration and animal identification. The suit asks the court to issue an injunction to stop the implementation of NAIS at either the state or federal levels by any state or federal agency. If successful, the suit would halt the program nationwide. "At a time when the job of protecting our food safety is woefully underfunded, the USDA has spent over $118 million on just the beginning stages of a so-called voluntary program that ultimately seeks to register every horse, chicken, cow, goat, sheep, pig, llama, alpaca or other livestock animal in a national database--more than 120 million animals. It's a program that only a bureaucrat could love."

Roanoke - (8/4/08) - If you love a dog in the city of Roanoke, or are just supportive of people who love dogs in the city of Roanoke, you should attend tomorrow's public meeting to discuss the location. DATE: Tuesday, Aug. 5 TIME: 6 p.m. PLACE: Municipal Building, First Floor EOC Conference Room (Room 159) 215 Church Avenue, SW in downtown Roanoke Highland Park is the most likely site for the new park, and the committee touts these points for the choice of the location:
• Not near a Major road• More than one acre available• Shade from more established trees• Water source on site• Neighborhood improvement• Closer to downtown and other neighborhoods• Neighborhood support for the park
The meeting was requested by the neighborhood association. The committee is sure that those who oppose the park will be in attendance. They are asking that all those in favor of the proposed location also attend to share their opinions.

Staunton - Council approves multi year dog licenses. Pet owners can choose to pay $10 for a one-year license, $15 for a two-year license and $20 for a three-year license. Council members also decided Thursday (07/10/08) to amend the city's kennel license fee from $10

WASHINGTON

Seattle - (7/20/08) - New policy changes under consideration could soon change the way cougars are hunted in the state. On Aug. 9, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officials plan to decide whether to extend a 2004 program that allows the use of dogs to hunt cougars in five counties. Officials heard expert briefing and public comments Friday about the program, which was approved by the Legislature in March. The plan would continue to allow hunters to hound cougars in Chelan, Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties and would give other counties an opportunity to request legalizing hounding as well. While allowing hunting to continue, the program also would reduce the cougar kill quotas by 40 percent in the five counties and lower the number of cougars a hunter can kill at one time from two to one. The wildlife department began the 2004 program because of concerns about public safety and livestock loss, but some local activists dispute their methods. Brian Vincent with Big Wildlife, a pro-wildlife organization, said hunting cougars only worsens their conflicts with humans. "This program goes after any cougar in the area, most of whom are innocent of any interaction with humans," he said.

Electric City - (7/16/08) -The Electric City Council cut the dog "Loki" a little slack at its July 8 meeting. The council had declared Loki a "dangerous" animal, making it manditory that its owner or guardian build a special pen, register the dog as dangerous, and carry $50,000 insurance. Tuesday night the council rescinded its "dangerous dog" resolution, which in effect cancels the July 25 court date that Kathy Wilson faced. When the complaint first came to council, members considered labeling the dog "potentially dangerous" a lesser degree by city ordinance. However, by the ordinance definition a dog is "dangerous" if it kills another domestic animal. The council, still faced with conflicting information, decided to go against the city's ordinance and waive the "dangerous" resolution. Council was further confused by the police explanation of what had happened.

Kennewick - (7/29/08) - New rules are now on the books for dangerous dogs in Benton County. The new amendment to the dangerous dog ordinance is designed to let the county recoup costs associated with impounding dogs. The amendment now reads the owner or keeper of the dog shall be liable for the full actual costs and expenses of keeping and impounding the dog. Benton County Commissioner Claude Oliver said the county is looking at contracting with West Richland for impounding dogs. The county will be talking with animal agencies soon for comment. "We'll be looking to have them come before the board of commissioners in the next few weeks and outline some of their concerns to see what we can do to potentially address that with any type of contract relationship with West Richland" said Oliver. Oliver says the dangerous dog ordinance has been on the books for many years now. He says the changes have been a long time coming. Oliver said he wants the public to know they won't be using the current animal facility in West Richland if a contract is approved.

Prosser - (7/29/08) - Benton County commissioners aren't sure they want their animal control ordinance to target feral cats. And they're asking for more information before making a decision. Monday, the three commissioners debated several aspects of a draft animal control ordinance for unincorporated areas of the county. The draft proposal focuses on dogs, does not require licensing and sets progressive fines between $30 and $100 for pet owners who violate the ordinance. Commissioner Max Benitz was adamant that the county's ordinance should deal with all domesticated animals, including cats. Commissioner Leo Bowman disagreed, saying he didn't know if there was enough of a rural feral cat problem to merit their inclusion. West Richland Police Chief Layne Erdman noted that cats aren't typically adopted quickly from shelters and have separate issues from dogs. The county is considering contracting with the city for kennel services. Commissioner Claude Oliver said if the county contracts with West Richland, which includes cats in its own animal control ordinance, the county may want to do the same.
All three of the Tri-Cities' larger communities -- Kennewick, Richland and Pasco -- have laws to control stray cats and dogs. The commissioners asked county staff to examine the cost differences between controlling dogs and controlling both dogs and cats. The commissioners also disagreed on whether leashes should be required. Benitz said yes, while Bowman said no. Bowman argued that dogs working on farms shouldn't have to wear leashes. Benitz also recommended higher fines for pet owners who don't control their animals. He suggested fines begin at $300, not $30.

WEST VIRGINIA

Martinsburg - (7/17/08) - Berkeley County commissioners will be drafting an animal control agreement today with the town of Hedgesville and renewing an agreement with the city of Martinsburg. Commissioners plan to discuss possible rates that Hedgesville could pay for use of the county's animal control service on a "per-call" basis, during the regular County Commission meeting that begins at 9:30 a.m. today. Animal control is the only emergency service that is not already provided to Hedgesville through Berkeley County. Law enforcement, fire safety and ambulance services are provided to the town through property taxes and other fees paid by its residents to the county. But the municipality does not have the funding for its own animal control service.

New Haven - (7/23/08) - Laws by which dog owners in the Town of New Haven must abide are about to get much stricter.During Tuesday's meeting, council members unanimously approved the first reading of a revised animal ordinance that outlines various new rules for dog owners within the municipality.Among the changes are a new registration fee of $5, which will be required of every household where a dog over the age of eight weeks resides; the species of dogs permitted in the town - pit bulls and rottweilers will not be permitted, but those currently living in the town will be allowed to stay; and fines that range from $25 to $1,000 for any dog owner found in violation of the ordinance.Additionally, pet owners that violate the ordinance will not have to be notified by mail that they are in violation, and law enforcement officers will be permitted to take action immediately, including seizing a dog that demonstrates vicious behavior.

WISCONSIN

Barron County - (7/17/08) - In November 2007, the county board approved a new animal control ordinance that created a position of animal control officer in the sheriff's department [Deputy Mark Olson was hired] and gave the county jurisdiction over stray animal complaints. In June, the humane society voted to remove the $90 fee and to allow any animal to be left at the society's shelter in Barron-free of charge. This change in policy has allowed Richie to work with the humane society's president, Dari McDonald, of Birchwood, on a countywide solution to the stray problem.The next step for the county is to build a shelter that would house animals brought in by the animal control officer. Richie says the county shelter is necessary due to the limited space in the humane society shelter, and the fact that many of the animals brought in through the animal control program may be sick or dangerous. Barron County Sheriff Tom Richie says if the Barron County Board of Supervisors approves a $100,000 county animal shelter during its July 21 meeting, the problem of stray animals roaming the county may finally be solved.

Brookfield - Aldermen listened to input from residents last week on a proposal that would limit pets to a combined total of four dogs and cats per home, including up to three of one type of animal.

Weston - village has made more changes to its animal ordinance after a number of residents spoke out July 7 at a Village Board meeting. Proposed animal ordinance changes since that meeting include an increase in the number of cats and dogs allowed in a single-family household can have up to three dogs or three cats, but those in some multifamily structures, such as an apartment complex with more than four units, would be limited to two dogs or two cats., an expanded license for those who show, breed or foster animals, smaller fees and larger, stricter fines for those who break the rules. If approved, pet owners who have more than the number of cats and dogs allowed by the revisions will be grandfathered in if they apply for a license within 60 days.

WYOMING

City of Evanston - (7/19/08) - The Mayor and City Council heard the second reading of ordinance 08-04, an ordinance which limits the keeping of farm animals and large domestic animals within certain zones in the city, also known as the “chicken ordinance.” To take effect, an ordinance requires three readings, and must pass on the third reading. Many of the council members made it clear that they looked forward to and anticipated much discussion, as they tried to accurately represent their constituents and best serve the City of Evanston in this matter. City Planner Paul Knopf began the discussion, reporting that they had received input from the municipal court and prosecuting attorneys. He added that his office has received only a few calls from concerned citizens regarding the ordinance, and that their concerns were about the Uinta County Fair and school projects.

Green River - (7/16/08) - To date, there's been almost no success in the private breeding of Western sage grouse for hunting on commercial bird farms. Nor has anybody really shown an interest in doing so in Wyoming. But if it's going to happen, the Game and Fish Department will be ready.Agency officials have scheduled a series of meetings across the state to discuss the department's first regulation governing sage grouse raised on private game bird farms.The state already has rules for such species as partridge, pheasant, quail and migratory game birds. But lawmakers during the 2008 session directed the agency to establish specific regulations for private bird farms that raise Western sage grouse.

COUNTRIES OF OTHER INTEREST

AFRICA - SOUTH AFRICA (A MUST READ!!)

City of Capetown - "DRACONIC", "too much red tape", "impossible to enforce" are just some of the reactions of animal lovers to the Animal By-law draft of the City of Cape Town, which when approved, will replace all existing municipal regulations in the whole of the City.
Council will then have the right to determine the number, kind and sex of dogs and cats anyone may keep on their premises; give officials the right to seize and destroy pets they deem to be a nuisance or a danger; and, sterilise pets and recover the costs from the owner. In addition, any stray animals will be impounded and if not claimed within ten days, be destroyed or sold to defray costs. There is also a huge discrepancy between the distance that a structure may be from the property boundaries - the distance varies from 15 metres (for dogs) to one-and-a-half metres (chickens). "But a badly kept chicken run stinks as bad as a badly kept dog enclosure anytime," a renowned dog trainer of Somerset West said this week.
This by-law has not been promulgated yet and the City will accept public input until October. Contact JP Smith at Jean-Pierre.Smith@capetown.gov and submit suggestions.
He is chairman of the Safety and Security Portfolio committee.
The new by-law will limit the number of cats/dogs that may be kept to two in or at a dwelling; three at premises containing one or two dwelling houses; and, six on agricultural premises. This excludes catteries, kennels, pet shops, training centres, veterinary clinics, the Metro Police or SAPS.
No-one will be allowed to keep an unspayed bitch, unless permission is granted by Council to keep kennels, or if a bitch is registered by the Kennel Union.
Anyone who wants to keep a greater number of dogs must apply for a permit, pay a prescribed fee and give all adjoining and affected neighbours notice, who may lodge objections. Officials may inspect the premises to determine whether it is likely to cause a health hazard.
The applicant may not keep the number of dogs applied for, pending the outcome of the application, in absence of a permit. No-one will also be allowed to keep a dog unless their property is properly fenced to keep such dog inside when not on a leash, or keep any dog if he fails to regularly remove and dispose of the dog's faeces.
The owner must also remove the faeces if his dog defecates in a street or public place and dispose of it in a refuse bin. No-one may walk a dog in a road or other public place without a lead and must carry a sufficient number of plastic bags or paper wrappers in which to place the excrement. The only exception is a person assisted by a guide dog.
No-one will be allowed to keep any dog who does not have a collar or microchip containing all the contact details of the owner.
They may not urge (or fail to prevent) any dog to attack or frighten any person or animal, except where necessary for self defence; keep any dog that barks, yelps, howls or whines, has the habit of charging any vehicle, animals, poultry, pigeons or persons outside the premises where it is kept; create a disturbance or nuisance, has mange or any other infectious disease; is ferocious or a danger in any public street or place unless muzzled and held on a leash and under control; and, trespass on private property or constitute a traffic hazard.
Any such animal may be impounded and be destroyed - unless the owner provides official within ten days with proof that the dog, if released, will not cause further nuisance and will be kept under control. After ten days the animal can be destroyed or sold and the proceeds of any sale used to defray costs.
Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with any provisions of this by-law or continues to commit an offence after notice has been served on him or her, shall be liable to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years. In the case of a continuing offence, an additional fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten days for each day on which such offence continued may be imposed or both a fine and imprisonment.
In addition to the penalty, the court may order the destruction of the animal.
Any person who previously had a dog removed from his care or has a previous criminal or civil judgment against him in respect of an animal, may not keep a dog unless Council determines otherwise; no person may provoke, harass or tease any dog, terrify or cause distress to any dog with fireworks or other means, and any involvement with dog fights, be it keeping or training breeds for fighting or just being a spectator, is liable on conviction to a fine of R20 000 or two years imprisonment.

Elands Bay - (7/20/08) - The SPCA is concerned that an outbreak of canine distemper, which has wiped out more than half the dogs in the township at Elands Bay, could spread to the nearby seal colony.SPCA chief executive Allan Perrins said the disease was highly contagious, often fatal and affected the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems. He said they would alert Marine and Coastal Management about the risk to seals, which were also susceptible to the disease. Seal numbers took a knock in January when more than 100 died in rough seas.SPCA inspectors visited the area last week after being alerted by Lamberts Bay Animal Welfare.

AUSTRALIA

Sydney - (7/16/08) - Australia is home to many unique species -- the kangaroo and the platypus counting among the best known. But have you ever heard of the Brush-Tailed Bettong? The Eastern Barred Bandicoot? The Bilby? All are among Australia's endangered species, and according to Australia's government, their reduction is the fault of wild cats. So, despite fierce criticism and lack of support from government, one Australian politician is standing by his controversial proposal to eradicate all cats from that country. Richard Evans says cats, a species not native to Australia, are eating all its animals.

BERMUDA

(7/16/08) - Hamilton - Residents may soon be able to import 'banned' dogs such as pitbulls, bull terriers, rottweilers and mastiffs — as long as they can prove themselves to be "responsible dog owners". Government is to set up a Dog Authority to "consider applications for persons who wish to import or breed dogs that are currently restricted". The 2003 'banned' list featured dozens of 'dangerous' dogs. Government, however, now appears ready to scratch the ban, with a review of the restrictions on importation and breeding. Yesterday, an Environment Ministry spokesman disclosed that Minister El James has now requested the establishment of a 'Dog Authority'. "The point of having an Authority is to be able to give consideration to good, responsible dog owners who have historically not been problematic, but who have been caught by the current restrictions that resulted from the misdeeds of unsocialised dogs and irresponsible owners." NOTE: The 2003 'banned' list includes: Akita, American Bulldog, American Pitbull terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Argentine mastiff (Dogo Argentino), Aryan Molossus, Australian Dingo, Boerboel, Brazilian mastiff (Fila Brasileiro), Bull Terrier & Miniature Bull Terrier, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Danish Broholmer, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa (Tosa Inu), Mastiff, Neopolitan Mastiff, Perro de Presa Canario, Perro de Presa Mallorquin, Rottweiler, Tibetan Mastiff, and Wolf & Wolf Hybrid. Crossbreeds are also included.

CHINA

Beijing - (7/17/08) - A Beijing law making it illegal to keep dogs taller than 35 centimetres (1.1 foot) means that dogs such as Deng's placid Golden Retriever are outlaws and can be locked up and put down if they are intercepted by the authorities in the Olympic city. Pet ownership in China is booming and dog lovers in particular complain about Beijing's inflexible laws against large dogs which they say harks back to China's communist past when few people kept dogs as pets, and those that did were scorned as bourgeois timewasters by communist leader Mao Zedong. "The 35-cm rule is not scientific, as most big pet dogs are quieter than smaller ones in reality," Deng said as he lay on the couch alongside his dog Maomao. "People who make the rules have no knowledge whatsoever of dogs." As pets become popular in China, Beijing dog owners are bristling over the city ban on large dogs and hefty annual licence fees for small dogs of as much as 1,000 yuan ($146). The ban is strictly enforced. Even a partially blind Paralympic medallist is unable to get her guide dog registered ahead of the Olympics and Paralympics in September when she is due to run with the torch at the opening ceremony. "I know it's pet owners' responsibility to register their dogs, but current regulation doesn't allow me to do so," said Deng. "For big dogs, being captured by the police almost always leads to a dead end."
Beijing's 17 million residents registered 703,897 pet dogs in 2007, up 17.3 percent from 600,096 in 2006. The number is probably much higher after factoring in unregistered dogs such as Lucky. Foreign diplomats are exempt from the size rule, and are often spotted parading huge Golden Retrievers, Siberian Huskies and Labradors along leafy streets. But Beijingers, bound by the rules, more often opt for tiny Chihuahuas or the city's white fluffy namesake, the Pekinese.

KOREA

SEOUL - (7/16/08) - Two South Korean labs are offering pet owners the chance to clone dogs, but for those looking to bring back a beloved beagle, be ready to wait in line and have plenty of cash on hand. The Seoul-based labs -- one affiliated to RNL Bio Co and the other to Sooam Biotech Research Foundation -- are separated by about 30 km (20 miles) and bill themselves as the only places in the world where you can clone a cocker spaniel or retrieve a retriever, with costs running at about $50,000 (25,000 pounds) to $100,000.

PHILIPPINES

Nueva Ecija - (7/31/08) - Government investigators and animal welfare activists have rescued 18 dogs from the butcher's knife in the northern Philippines, using a new law against the
country's illegal meat trade. Two suspected dog meat traders were arrested in a raid in
Nueva Ecija province and charged under a new Anti-Rabies Law which provides tougher
penalties for killing dogs for human consumption, said Serafin Gil, a National Bureau of
Investigation agent who led the operation. If convicted the traders face up to four years in
jail plus a fine of 5,000 pesos per dog traded. Under a previous law, traders faced milder
sentencing.

Saudi Arabia

The decision to implement a ban on the sale of cats and dogs in Saudi Arabia is actually at odds with Islamic law, argues Kristen Stilt of Egyptian Society for Mercy to Animals. The Saudi authorities need a refresher course on Islamic law and history. The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice has banned the sale of cats and dogs and prohibited people from taking their animals with them in public. The ban seems to be prompted by their concern that Saudi youths are acting under the influence of western culture. But they have their history mixed up: the Prophet Muhammad and the early Muslim scholars established rules for animal welfare and required people to show respect and compassion for animals long before the west even emerged from its dark ages. The Commission claims that dogs cannot be kept in homes, but this is a misreading of the sayings of the Prophet. Several of these sayings required that dog ownership be for a lawful purpose. In the early period, this might have meant for agricultural purposes or hunting. Today, many different purposes could be lawful. The world desperately needs leaders in animal welfare and the west has shown many failings in this area throughout history. But instead of spending their time and energy on laws that do nothing for the animals and are actually un-Islamic, the Saudi authorities should build upon their Islamic past and lead the world in championing the cause of animal welfare.

Riyadh - Saudi Arabia's religious police have announced a ban on selling cats and dogs as pets, or walking them in public in the Saudi capital, because of men using them as a means of making passes at women, an official said on Wednesday (07/30/08).

Insurers sink teeth into dog owners

Big names including Sainsbury's and the RSPCA have doubled premiums, claiming that 'special breeds' run up higher vet bills. Patrick Collinson hears the howls of anguish. "The pets included in the 'selected breeds' category are animals on which we have experienced a high average claims cost and a high claims frequency, which together produces a high loss ratio. " Guardian Money carried out its own price test for a three-year-old greyhound - and our snapshot survey confirms how the RSPCA and Sainsbury's are now virtually pricing themselves out of the market for certain breeds. "I understand very well how insurance works," says Tripp, "and I would not be surprised if the Sainsbury's policy, ironically, is actually the worst in the country for the poor 'selected breeds'. They are among the biggest providers of pet insurance, and will be extracting a lot of extra money out of some policyholders. Yet there are alternatives for those who shop around, thus saving hundreds of pounds."

Mansfield, England - (7/17/08) - An East Midlands dog owner is celebrating today after being told he can have his dog back. Jason Singh had his case heard at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court where it was deemed his dog, Zeke, was not a pit bull terrier type. Mr Singh will be reunited with the dog who was described as ‘delightful’ by the judge in the case. “Zeke is clearly a delightful, friendly dog and shows no sign of aggression at all,” said Judge Morris Cooper. Zeke was seized by Ruschliffe Borough Council who claimed he was a prohibited pit bull type dog, which are banned under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act. The council said it was ‘disappointed’ at the decision, saying they had never claimed the dog was dangerous but that it was a banned ‘type’ dog. Zeke was deemed to be a Dogue de Bordeaux cross. “It has been over a year - and it’s been absolute hell but it’s been worth it and I’ve had a lot of people supporting me,” Mr Singh said. Mr Singh has been without his dog for over a year, Zeke was seized in June 2007.
—
And within this case is, a very prominent message.
The council were dissapointed as they had never claimed Zeke was dangerous.
I’ll just repeat that.
They had never claimed he was dangerous.
The Dangerous Dogs Act, don’t you just love it?

THIS MONTH'S STORY COMES FROM LOUISIANA (7/18/08)

The usual story is about a dog biting a man, but on Tuesday, it was a man slapping a dog.

Slidell police issued a summons for animal cruelty to Ronald A. Meyers, 63, 1533 Lakewood Drive, Slidell after he allegedly slapped his neighbor’s dog because it was barking too much. Police spokesman, Capt. Kevin Foltz said officers were called to the home of Meyers’ neighbor on a complaint of a dog biting someone.

When police arrived, the dog’s owner told officers that Meyers had left for the hospital to be treated for the bite.When officers located Meyers at Slidell Memorial Hospital, he told them that he was enjoying an afternoon in his back yard, but his neighbor’s dog, Pedro, kept barking, and “getting on his nerves.” Meyers noticed that Pedro was sticking his muzzle through a hole in the backyard fence, so Meyers went up to the fence and slapped Pedro’s muzzle. The dog responded by biting Meyer, causing a moderate injury to one of Meyers’ fingers. He then went to his neighbor and informed them of what happened. The neighbor told police that Pedro has never bitten any person, and that there never had been any prior problems between the dog and her neighbors. Pedro is a mixed breed dog that weighs between 30 and 35 pounds. However, police reported that Meyers told them that he “would kill the dog if it got out of the yard.”

Police issued a summons for Meyers to appear in the Slidell City Court for cruelty to animals.

(Ed. Note - Open Mouth - insert citation.)

Monthly National Legislation Report - July 18, 2008

2008-07-14T18:39:00.016-04:00

ARIZONA

Payson - police now have a lot more options when it comes to dealing with scary dogs.
A recent change in the town code created several new categories of problem dogs, so police don't have to wait until a dog bites someone before they can take action, according to Chief Don Engler. In dealing with a dog off his leash that was a pretty low level of enforcement. This gives us a step to help the owner get the dog under control," said Engler. First off, the new law made it clear that dogs must be on a leash anytime they're outside of their yards, said Engler
In addition, the new law created new categories. Previously, the only category of dog listed was a "vicious dog," which was a dog that had at some point attacked a person. The ordinance required owners to keep such dogs locked up, post signs on their property and notify the town any time the dog was sold or moved. However, police got reports of dogs attacking other animals, chasing kids or threatening people several times a month.
The police department spent months meeting with people and studying dog ordinances in other towns before proposing a comprehensive rewrite of the dog control laws. So the new law creates two new categories for problem dogs.

Tucson - An animal welfare group pushing for changes as to how dogs are treated in South Tucson says it has collected sufficient signatures to put the matter to voters in November. It would make it illegal to feed a dog raw and diseased meat, to give a dog anabolic steroids or other artificial performance enhancement drugs, and it would require that dogs be in a minimum size cage and for no more than 18 hours.

ARKANSAS

Bono - will vote on Tuesday July 22 whether to repeal section 3 on Ordinance 95-1 that bans Pit Bulls.

Colt - council also heard second reading on a vicious dog ordinance. The existing county ordinance governing vicious dogs. According to the ordinance, any dog that has bitten someone or appears aggressive can be considered vicious and be removed. Owners of vicious dogs face a $500 fine. The proposed ordinance is more detailed city ordinance which sets several requirements for how vicious dogs must be kept and restricts the keeping of some breeds

CALIFORNIA

AB1634 - Here is the full text for the Current Bill Status (07/15/2008) for Assembly Bill 1634. You will note that the Committee Action taken is "Senate Rule 28.8 and amended." The Official California Bill Information does not include Assembly Member Levine's most recent amendments nor does it include an official analysis by the Senate Appropriations Committee Consultant (Mark McKenzie). The only "new" information provided is the Committee Action. AB1634 will next go to the Senate floor. Date to be announced.

Pasadena - City Council on May 5 referred to the Council's Public Safety Committee for further discussion a proposed SB 861 (2005) authorized breed specific ordinance 'Council Public Safety Committee will hold a public meeting July 15 in regard to the proposed Breed Specific Mandatory Spay and Neuter Ordinance which would require American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers or mixes thereof to be spayed or neutered at 8 weeks of age.

Ripon - Vicious dog law ordinance - in compliance with California's SB 861 Dangerous Dog Breed Bill - sparked somewhat of a controversy with certain dog owner groups that didn't agree with it, Police Chief Richard Bull says that everything has been pretty much status quo in terms of compliance of the mandatory spaying and neutering of pit bull breeds.

COLORADO

Delta - Prodded by concerned citizens, the city of Delta has begun crafting solutions to its pet overpopulation and feral cat problems. Possible changes in the works for the city include amendments to the municipality’s animal control laws and beginning education efforts, Delta Police Department officials said. Police Chief Robert Thomas, animal welfare advocate Melissa Heinzen and city staff met July 1 to talk about animal control issues, particularly ones related to the area’s feral cats. The group plans to meet again Aug. 14. Aside from mandatory spay/neuter discussion, the city is also drafting a letter to educate businesses about the Colorado Pet Animal Care Facilities Act, which sets standards for groups and businesses that raise and care for animals. This legislation requires entities such as boarding and training facilities, pet animal dealers and breeders to become state licensed. “It is unlawful to sell or distribute animals without proper licensing ...

CONNECTICUT

Bethlehem - voters reject by a tally of 36-17, a proposed dog ordinance which would have limited to 20 the number of dogs older than 4 months permitted to be housed on any property.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Bill B17-89 - amended by adding the following: “The Mayor shall impound any dogs, cats, rabbits, or ferrets, the combination of which exceeds 4 animals, or any dogs, cats, rabbits, or ferrets beyond the number authorized in an animal hobby permit issued pursuant to section 10. No exemption for rescuers and breeders. Pet breeders are defined as a commercial animal breeder as ... any person, firm, organization or corporation engaged in the operation of breeding and raising more than 25 animals per year for sale or in return for consideration. A business license would be required. Defines rescuers as: (a) No person shall operate a commercial pet care facility without first obtaining a basic business license with an Inspected Sales and Services license endorsement pursuant to Title 47 of the District of Columbia Official Code. The Mayor shall issue rules to establish the standards for the care and management of animals in a commercial pet care facility. (b) For purposes of this section, 'commercial pet care facility' means a facility that provides day or overnight boarding, or provides pet-related services including feeding, exercise, training, bathing or grooming, but does not include an animal facility as defined in section 3(2) of the Veterinary Practice Act of 1982, effective March 9, 1983 (D.C. Law 4-171; D.C. Official Code 3-502), or a licensed pet shop. The pet license fee structure: The annual license fee for dogs and cats are as follows: (1) No fee for a dog trained as a service animal and actually used for the purpose of assisting a person with a physical or sensory impairment, such as a vision or hearing impairment; (2) $15 for a male or female dog certified by a licensed veterinarian as neutered or spayed or certified as incapable of enduring spaying or neutering; (3) $50 for all other dogs; (4) $10 for a male or female cat certified by a licensed veterinarian as neutered or spayed, or certified as incapable of enduring spaying or neutering; and (5) $40 for all other cats

FLORIDA

Flagler Beach - A revision of the city's animal control ordinance could clearly define the role Flagler Beach police officers play when they get calls about dangerous dogs -- very little. When a resident makes a complaint -- especially if it's an emergency like a dog attack -- animal control officers from the Flagler Humane Society should begin an investigation as soon as possible. But the extent of the involvement of Flagler Beach police should be limited to duties such as patrolling the residences of owners who were cited to be sure they are complying with orders to keep dogs properly restrained. Those are some of the guidelines city commissioners said Thursday they want emphasized in a rewrite of the ordinance they hope to pass in the near future. Meanwhile, the commission voted to continue the city's contract with the society's animal control services for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. The city will pay $5,030 -- a savings of $12,426 from the previous year's contract.

Walton County - A newly revised animal control ordinance will go into effect August 1 for all dog and cat owners in the unincorporated areas of Walton County, Florida. The ordinance will not impact dog and cat owners within the cities of Paxton, DeFuniak Springs or Freeport unless the individual municipalities adopt the ordinance for their cities, nor does it reference pet owners of any other kind of animal. It only applies to dog and cat owners. Emergency Response Director Ed Baltzley, who oversees the county’s Animal Control operations, says the revised ordinance, passed by county commissioners on July 8, is more definitive on the definitions of nuisance animals, pet dealers, fees and penalties related to impounded dogs and cats and pet owner violations. “This newly revised ordinance is a step in the right direction,” he says, “because our animal control officers can now take statements from witnesses of ordinance violations and protect residents from dangerous animals.” He says the revised ordinance also provides more protection for dogs and cats from animal abuse.

GEORGIA

Macon - A Macon City Council committee wants to redirect revenue from dog and cat licensing so that the fees are used to support animal control operations before they are spent on anything else. By approving the ordinance Monday,(7/14/08) the Public Safety Committee hopes to persuade veterinarians to resume their former role in collecting the tax that is supposed to be assessed against city pet owners. Vets soured to the task in 2002 and eventually stopped participating after the city raised the license fees without consulting them.

ILLINOIS

Chicago - An update regarding the proposed Chicago Ordinance on Mandatory S/N status as of July 15th, 2008.

From Alderman Burke's aide today and also Alderman Schulter's policy person: they have both stated that there was no discussion of the animal ordinance at the last total Chicago City Council meeting July 9th. The next full City Council meeting is at the end of July.
Alderman Burke's aide stated that there have been many emails to the office re the ordinance and people have 'misunderstood the meaning' (intent) of the ordinance. (a puzzlement since what people were against was what was plainly written on the ordinance)
Also Burke's aide told stated that there have been several changes to the ordinance and those have not been finalized in a document as of this date. The revised document should be made available by July 18th.
Alderman Schulter's Aide stated that she cannot say which way Alderman Schulter is leaning...( initially he was against the ordinance ) and that she will not have a copy of the ordinance up for discussion in the committee hearing until Burke's office offers it. They have no idea at this time what it has morphed into.
The original statement from Burke's office was that they were consulting with specific people (ie the vets connected with the shelters in the city) and getting input. The input appears to be from people who support mandatory s/n and no opposing views were seriously being considered.
The aide did not believe that it would be discussed before the next total council meeting at the end of July and that the City Council is off session in August and will take up again in September. They are in the process of scheduling the three alderman involved (Burke, Rugai--the sponsor and co sponsor, and Schulter) with a time when they can all meet for a joint hearing on the ordinance.
It should be noted that the City Council of Chicago has 50 Alderman.
Alderman Burke's committee on Finance has 39 members and Alderman Schulter's Committee on License and Consumer Protection has 14 members of which only three are NOT on Burke's committee. This is going to be very difficult fight.
A list of emails for both committees is available for writing opposing letters and helping Chicago stop the mandatory spay and neuter ordinance . Please email Karen Perry ASAP at Ouilmette4@sbcglobal.net for the information.
The animal task force that was formed in Chicago a few years ago to fight the pit bull ban may have some compromises to suggest and at this time a written statement of the ideas that will be possibly proposed has not been obtained. ED NOTE: THANK YOU, KAREN PERRY FOR THE UPDATE !

Murphysboro - Carbondale - City officials have tried to balance the rights of pet owners with safety concerns posed by potentially dangerous animals, Cole said. In the code, a dangerous dog is defined as one that "poses an imminent threat of serious physical injury or death to a reasonable person" when not leashed, muzzled or under the owner's watch. Three dogs in Carbondale have been deemed dangerous since the city adopted code revisions to define the term in March 2007, said City Attorney Michael Kimmel. In each case, he said, the animal was either moved out of the city or euthanized voluntarily by its owner. The current policy also allows the city attorney to file action with the court to make a dog classified as vicious, which is defined as one that either bites a person or another animal, attacks a human or domestic animal without justification, or has been deemed "dangerous" three times. When a dog is classified as vicious, its owner can come under felony charges for any incidents under state law, something Cole said the city should pursue. City staff will review the code to vote on any changes as early as the next City Council meeting Aug. 5.

O'Fallon - City Council to re-examine the city's animal control ordinance after little dog was killed by the neighbor's two pit bulls. The dog was in the neighbors yard at the time. The city ordinance, an animal can only be defined as vicious if it attacks and kills an animal "off its owner's property." The city attorney to amend the ordinance.

KENTUCKY

Maysville - City Commission approved the second reading of an ordinance prohibiting pit bulls within city limits, during a special meeting Wednesday (07/02). The ordinance will require any pit bull found within city limits after September 1, 2008, to be seized and impounded. A pit bull seized will only be released to an owner producing evidence the animal will be permanently taken out of the city. If such proof is not provided, the dog shall be destroyed.

Newport - City Commission may have a first reading tonight (6/23/08) of a proposed ordinance to regulate vicious dogs, particularly pit bulls, that would require pit bulls and pit bull mixes to have implanted microchips with the owner's information and require the owner to have $500,000 liability homeowner's insurance coverage.

Worthington - City council members voted unanimously to approve an amended version of an animal control ordinance early Monday evening (06/30/08) that will make Rottweilers, chow chows and variations of the bull terrier officially be unwelcome in Worthington. As adopted, the ordinance prohibits city residents from owning any dog defined as "vicious" according to Kentucky law, and requires owners of "potentially vicious dogs," including specific canine breeds, to be registered with the city. Vicious dogs include any dog in the city "that has attacked or attempted to attack a human being or other domestic animal without provocation" and "any dog with a known propensity or tendency, or disposition to attack unprovoked" a human being or domestic animal, or cause injury to property.

LOUISIANA

Union Parish - Wild dogs roaming the streets of Union Parish has been a problem for years and a group of concerned citizens has had enough. Thirty Union Parish residents packed the Union Parish Police Jury meeting room last Tuesday and pressed the Police Jury to do something about the animal control problem in the parish during the Police Jury’s regular meeting. Several residents spoke before the Police Jury and implored them to come up with a solution. Union Parish does not currently have an animal control ordinance, nor does it have an animal shelter to take stray dogs.

MASSACHUSETTS

Boston - Opponents of dog racing in Massachusetts are hailing a decision by the state's highest court today (7/15/08) that clears the way for a dog racing ban proposal to appear on the November ballot. George Carney, who has owned the Raynham-Taunton dog track for the past 40 years, sued in March, challenging Attorney General Martha Coakley's certification of the ballot question proposed by the Committee to Protect Dogs. Carney argued, among other things, that the law would amount to an uncompensated "taking" of his property.
But the Supreme Judicial Court today rejected that argument, noting that gambling on dog races is a heavily regulated industry that only exists because the Legislature has carved out narrow exceptions in the law.
The court, citing an earlier decision, also said that racing "can be abolished at any time that the Legislature may deem proper for the safeguarding and protection of the public welfare."

Manchester - Dog owners and beachgoers may be facing some new rules next year through a compromise aimed at resolving who gets to use Singing Beach — and when. The town's Singing Beach Committee has recommended that the beach be segregated during the months of April and October — with some space set aside for visitors to enjoy the beach pet free, while much of it would still be open for people to bring their canines. Committee members told the town's selectmen last week that there are a number of temperate days in the months of October and April when people would like to visit the beach without dealing with dogs and their calling cards. Presently, dogs are not allowed on Singing Beach between May 1 and Sept. 30, but are permitted on the beach between October and April. If ultimately approved at Town Meeting next spring, according to the newest proposal, one quarter of the beach would be reserved for beachgoers.

Stoughton - Town officials plan to revamp a dog control bylaw proposal tabled at town meeting in May because voters thought it unfairly targeted pit bulls. Dog Control Officer Kristin Bousquet, a co-author of the proposal, said there appeared to be “too many glitches” and that more research needs to be done.

Rochester - A regular meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen was called to order on Monday, July 14 at 7:01 pm. At 7:05 pm the board opened a Dog Hearing upon a complaint against Ed Rose and his dogs located in a kennel on his property on Walnut Plain Road.
Resident and abutter Tim Scholz noted that he and his fellow neighbors are seeking relief under Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) Chapter 140, Section 157, with regard to dogs being a nuisance. I think the number of people here pretty much constitutes a public nuisance," Mr. Scholz said. While this hearing was convened solely to consider alleged violations under Chapter 140, Section 157, some residents like Mark Collins wanted to know if other issues could be addressed regarding Mr. Rose's dog breeding hobby. This is a quasi-legal judicial hearing," said Town Counsel Blair Bailey. "Any other issue discussed outside the particular statute as advertised ... would require another hearing." Town Counsel Blair Bailey suggested closing the hearing to public comment and ask that Mr. Rose and his attorney draft a proposed solution for submittal to the board prior to their next regular meeting on July 28. "Mr. Rose, can you come up with a solid plan with a timetable and budget to solve this problem by July 28?" Chairman McGaffey asked. When Mr. Rose and Mr. Perry agreed, the board unanimously voted to continue the hearing to July 28 at 7:00 pm.

Waltham - State Rep. Peter Koutoujian, D-Waltham, is pushing a bill that would allow judges to include pets in temporary restraining orders in domestic abuse cases. That bill, which he and state Rep. Jennifer Callahan, D-Sutton introduced last year, now sits in the House Ways and Means Committee awaiting approval. Under the proposed bill, if a judge finds reason to include a pet in an order of protection, then the petitioner would be given exclusive custody of the animal.

MICHIGAN

HB5263 - An act to license and regulate dealers in and research facilities using dogs and cats for research purposes; and to repeal certain acts and parts of acts, by amending sections 1, 8, and 9 (MCL 287.381, 287.388, and 287.389) Status: House Committee on Regulatory Reform

Pine Grove Township -Board of Trustees has decided to drop the matter of controlling barking dogs. Supervisor Paul Root said he didn't think an ordinance was needed. ``I don't think that we need to be overregulated regardless of the individual problems in certain pockets of the township that should be taken care of by neighbors interacting with neighbors''

MINNESOTA

Albert Lea - City Council will be voting on an ordinance to have all landlords licensed in the city. This ordinance if passed, requires all landlords to turn over names and phone numbers of all tenants with no just cause. These city officials will go into your dwelling and take pictures of all rooms without your consent. The landlords have to allow the city officials access to the premises or be charged with a misdemeanor. The fine would be 90 days in jail and/or $1,000 fine.

MISSISSIPPI

Vardaman - Board of Aldermen tabled the dog ordinance at a meeting of the board Monday night.The board has been working on a dog ordinance for a couple of months, but Mayor James Casey said after talking to Bruce and Calhoun City Mayors, they planned to join a discussion with the county supervisors to possibly adopt one ordinance for the entire county.

NEBRASKA

Hastings - considering breed selective legislation. Hastings City Council is expected to hear from a man Monday night who says pit bulls need to be banned. The man told News 5 he was attacked and injured by a pit bull.The Heartland Pet Connection in Hastings said pit bull attacks are not rare.It said the dog's aggressive instinct is due to hundreds of years of bad breeding and poor environments. But officials with the Pet Connection said there are an equal amount of well-behaved pit bulls.With such an even split in the animals personalities, the Pet Connection believes residents will be divided on a possible ban."You are going to see people that are thrilled that the breed is banned. And you are going to see people who are extremely upset because they own that good pit bull, and they are either no longer allowed to keep it or some families will even move to keep their dog," said Lynn Jasnoch, Heartland Pet Connection.The city of Osceola has recently banned pit bulls, Omaha is also looking into a ban.

Holdredge - Considering dog ban. Community forum discussion

Omaha - Mayor Mike Fahey formed a committee to look at pit bull law and to create legislation regarding pit bulls and other breeds. Nothing is off the table, including an outright ban on the dogs.

Ralston - City Council is exploring a possible ban on dogs. There haven't been any recent reports of pit bulls attacking Ralston residents, and the City Council is looking to keep it that way. Ralston has an ordinance regarding any dog or other animal "of a cross, dangerous, or fierce disposition or that habitually snaps, bites or manifests a disposition to snap or bite." The misdemeanor, which requires a court appearance, is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and 90 days in jail. City Council Agendas & Minutes

NEW YORK

S8546 - AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law and the general business law, in relation to the care of animals by pet dealers and the sale of dogs Status: Senate Rules committee

Argyle - Town Board a proposed town dog control law was proposed to the board. The law states that all dogs must be restrained by a leash or be under the full control of the owner whenever on public property. Also addressed in the law are other forms of harassment including barking dogs, chasing and property desecration. The law also states that dogs 4 months of age or older must wear a valid dog license and rabies tags while off the owner's property, whether or not they are restrained by a leash. A violation of the law would result in a $25 fine for a first offense, a $50 fine for a second offense and a $250 fine for a third offense or a term of imprisonment not to exceed five days. The law will take effect 20 days after being adopted

Ellicott - Residents in Ellicott will be better protected from unruly and dangerous dogs after town board members adopted a somewhat controversial ordinance Monday toughening the town's restrictions on dog owners.

NORTH CAROLINA

Moore County - Mandatory sterilization, the definition of a critically injured animal and restrictions on keeping exotic or nondomestic animals were among the contentious issues debated by the County Board of Commissioners. Spaying/neutering is not carried out on animals under the age of six months, and the ordinance had been revised to require issuance of vouchers to assure that adopted kittens and puppies will be altered when they reach six months. Mandatory spay/neuter provision remains in the ordinance. It applies to any group, organization or entity offering animals for adoption in Moore County., Vouchers were to be sufficient to cover sterilization costs, and the ordinance had been revised to require the new owner to provide proof of sterilization within 30 days after the animal reaches age six months. The committee finally agreed to delete the provision requiring vouchers for people adopting pets under the age of six months.

OHIO

Hamilton - City Council will vote tonight, July 9, on an expanded vicious dog ordinance intended to help the police department control the pet population. The ordinance comes a few weeks after City Council voted to cut funding for animal control as it cuts its budget because of a projected financial crisis. The city was paying about $85,000 per year to the county for a dog warden to patrol the city and to the county's shelter. Council opted to discontinue payment because the city is in financial straits and the county is required by state law to serve all areas within its borders. Rather than allowing police to cite residents under the new ordinance, a more effective solution would be to mandate dog breeds classified as vicious to be spayed or neutered.

New Whitehall - City Council passed the new dog law tonight (6/30) after dealing with a flurry of complaints about vicious dogs roaming neighborhoods. Under the law, even the owner of a dog that kills a person would have a chance to tell an appeals board why the dog isn't vicious. Then that board, which will be chosen by Mayor John Wolfe, will be asked to decide: Is the dog a threat? If the board labels any dog vicious, the owner will have to meet a number of requirements including having a microchip inserted into the dog to identify its owner. The owner also will have to neuter or spay the animal and get $100,000 in liability insurance to cover injuries should the dog attack again. The state automatically considers pit bulls vicious, so they must have the microchip, and their owners must attain the insurance and pen the dog up when it's not on a leash.

St. Marys - members of a city committee Monday (6/30) night were briefed on possible options for tweaking the city’s ordinance regarding dangerous dogs and dogs running-at-large. City Law Director Kraig Noble presented St. Marys Safety Committee members with examples of possible ordinance ranging from dangerous dogs to dog litter during Monday’s meeting. The proposed ordinance regarding dogs running-at-large would remove the criminal charges of the offense in favor of administrative fines. Under the sample ordinance, a first offense would be a $50 fee with subsequent fees climbing to $150. Owners also would have the option of appealing the decision to the administrative appeals board.

PENNSYLVANIA

Manheim Twp - A resident's complaints have West Manheim officials talking about stepping up enforcement of an existing ordinance that forces dog owners to clean up after their pets. Mayne asked the supervisors to begin enforcing an existing township ordinance that requires all dog owners to keep their dogs from wandering onto other people's properties. The same ordinance also requires owners to clean up after dogs that defecate. Supervisor Scott Barnhart, the board's chairman, said the issue will be brought back to the supervisors meeting on Thursday, Aug. 7 at 6 p.m. at the township building on Baltimore Pike.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Spartanburg - City council will take a look at some of these issues before an animal control ordinance is implemented. -- Rules on tethering -- Dog and cat licenses -- How to handle permits for owners of more than five dogs and/or cats older than 4 months -- Regulations on vicious animals -- Ownership of goats and pot-bellied pigs. Input and concerns from animal activists and owners have prompted changes in an animal control ordinance first proposed nine months ago. A public hearing won't be held during today's meeting, and staff did not notify the parties involved of today's discussion. City Manager Mark Scott and City Attorney Cathy McCabe said in a memo to council that they wanted suggestions from council and direction on how to proceed before it is placed on a meeting's agenda for public hearing and council's consideration. The ordinance that council will review today prohibits tethering for more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period, but it is more flexible than the previous restrictions. The ban on all tethering was deleted. All dog owners now must have a license for their pets, showing proof of rabies vaccination and a $6 payment. The initial proposal added cats to the ordinance, requiring owners to purchase a pet license. Another concern for owners of multiple animals was a provision in the initial draft requiring permits for those who own more than five dogs and/or cats more than 4 months old. A proposal allowed inspections of the premises where the animals reside, either outdoors or inside a resident's home. According to the memo, staff would only inspect premises where the animals are held if a complaint is received or a health or safety issue is observed. Owners of more than five dogs and/or cats must purchase licenses for each animal in addition to the multiple animals/breeder's permit fee.

TENNESSEE

Knox County - Knoxville's dangerous dog laws just got harsher. There's two levels of dangerous dogs. Your dog becomes level one if it attacks someone unprovoked and causes minor injury and level two label, and for now, the only mandatory spay and neuter restriction. Mandatory spay/neuter was rejected for all dangerous dogs. New ordinance passed 07/01 and takes effect in 30 days.

Lebanon - city considering vicious dog registry so Lebanon Animal Control would know if the dog they are dealing with is dangerous. Lebanon currently has a leash law, but Mayor Don Fox said there’s no way to identify vicious or intimidating dogs. Fox said the state tracks sex offenders, so why not the same strategy for a dog that bites? The proposed law has two levels, of which the second is most serious. A dog that bites will be caged and wear a special tracking device. Fox said the legislation is not breed specific and that in the end, the measure would save more dogs by preventing euthanasia in the case of a bite. The proposal still has to pass through two council readings.

Nashville - Animal advocates trying to eliminate puppy mills are calling on Nashville-area flea markets to forbid the sale of puppies.

Paris - city council discussed "vicious dogs" at the city council meeting on Tuesday evening (07/08/08). The city has decided to focus on strengthening their current vicious dog ordinance and NOT target specific breeds.

TEXAS

Aubrey - The Aubrey City Council will hold a public hearing on an ordinance that would restrict the ownership of pit bull terriers inside city limits. The hearing begins at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday (7/15/08) at City Hall, 107 S. Main St. 76227

Cedar Hill - city council passed Resolution R08-257 which requests the introduction, passage, and implementation of state legislation at the upcoming Texas legislative session permiting local regulations to prohibit the ownership, possession, harboring, maintenance, transportation or sale of breed specific dogs within a local municipality and/or support the repeal of legislation which prohibits breed specific legislation by home rule municipalities and local municipalities on Tuesday night (07/08/08).

Dallas - City Council passed measures to strengthen its animal control ordinances. The changes include mandatory spaying or neutering of most pets, stop owners from leaving their dogs tethered outside. Mandatory spay/neuter for household pets. Limit on the number of dogs and cats per household PASSED 06/25/08

Duncanville - According to their agenda, city council will be discussing pit bull attacks and their dangerous dog ordinances at their 7/15/08 meeting. Public comments will be allowed.

Georgetown - ordinance to outlaw dog chaining was approved by the City Council (07/01/08) Effective 12/24/08

Madisonville - The Madisonville City Council has repealed a heavily debated article of an ordinance that will ease the minds of certain dog owners.Ordinance 650, also known as the "pit bull" ordinance, was voted by the council this past Monday, July 14, to be shortened and exclude Article 1 from the order.The article had put several restrictions on pit bulls and pit bull owners, including permits, holding pens and the prohibition of any new pit bulls in the city.Article 2 of the ordinance remains. It levies restrictions on dogs deemed vicious, which is determined by factors in the ordinance. Many people had said that this part of the order was the only one needed to protect public safety.

UTAH

Provo - holds off on bad dog ordinance (7/01). The proposed ordinance would create two categories of dogs, at-risk and dangerous dogs. At-risk dogs would be those that display physical aggression and tend to menace people or attack domestic animals. A dangerous dog would be either a dog that has injured a person or was used to commit a crime.

Sandy - new proposed ordinance would put vicious dogs in three classes: prohibited, restricted and dangerous. Prohibited dogs would include coyotes, wolves, dingos, and wild hybrids animals already outlawed in the city. Breeds such as pit bulls and Rottweilers would be in the restricted class. The city could require their owners to take out insurance policies, build escape-proof kennels and pass an inspection by animal control officers. Restricted dogs could be upgraded to dangerous dogs if they showed a tendency for violence or were classified dangerous by a judge. Those dogs could only be taken in public with short leashes and muzzles, according to the proposed ordinance. Attorneys are considering adding insurance requirements to the proposed breed-specific ordinances. Sandy Update: (7/16/08) Council agreed unanimously to delay making a decision on the code amendment. Council Chairman Scott Cowdell suggested creating an advisory committee with some of the canine professionals to help refine the proposed rules. Punish the deed, not the breed. That message was carried by close to 200 dog lovers Tuesday night who packed the Sandy City Council Chambers to protest a plan to place restrictions on owners of pit bulls and Rottweilers.

VIRGINIA

Scott County - Board of Supervisors decided Wednesday (06/25) to table an issue related to local regulation of commercial dog breeding kennels.

WASHINGTON

Spokane - Animal control officers could euthanize unlicensed cats as soon as they're picked up, if an ordinance on the Spokane City Council's agenda today passes. Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service is due to take over animal control in the city by 2010. The Spokane City Council tonight (7/14/08) will decide whether to approve an emergency ordinance that would allow animal control officers to euthanize unlicensed cats as soon as they're picked up. Citizens can air their concerns during the meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. in the lower level of City Hall at Spokane Falls Boulevard and Post Street

WISCONSIN

Brown County - Proponents of an ordinance to regulate the housing of outdoor dogs in the County have decided to drop their efforts to have it enacted. Sheriff Dennis Kocken said he was told by town officials that they would prefer to set their own rules on tethering and housing dogs instead of having the county set the rules. The issue was scheduled to be discussed by the county’s Public Safety Committee on Tuesday. The committee approved the proposed ordinance last month but the county board sent it back for more discussion after numerous dog owners protested.

Cudahy - will once again be considering a pit bull ban and breed-specific legislation at the July 9 meeting.

Racine - The City Council will not be creating a stricter vicious dog ordinance, at least for now, said 7th District Alderman Ray DeHahn. After hearing about too many people getting bitten by dogs, DeHahn proposed creating a stricter dog ordinance in March. His proposal included mandatory muzzles for dogs in public who have bitten someone. But after reviewing the proposal with the city attorney, DeHahn said it would be too hard to enforce. The city already has a “vicious animal” ordinance that forbids an animal from living in the city if, unprovoked, it bites or injures a person or pet twice in a year. Racine also has an ordinance that prohibits animals from running loose on public property. The Racine Board of Health tabled the suggestion Tuesday night until new information can be found.

Weston - The Village of Weston is considering a proposal that would limit the number of animals in each home and require dogs and cats to be licensed. The Village Administrator Dean Zuleger says the plan would protect the children in the village and reduce the number of stray animals. He says the village pet ordinance hasn't changed since 1991 and if this new proposal goes through the biggest change would be requiring cats to be licensed. Zuleger says issues like puppy mills and stray cats prompted the village to revise their pet ordinance. He says they worked on the proposal with the Marathon County Humane Society. It would limit the number of dogs to two per home and the number of cats to three.

Weston - UPDATE: The Weston Village Board tabled a revised animal ordinance at its meeting Monday night after several residents spoke out against a provision that would limit the number of pets allowed in a home. The proposed ordinance sets new limits on how many cats and dogs homeowners and renters can possess, depending on their living arrangements

COUNTRIES OF OTHER INTEREST

AUSTRALIA

Under Port Augusta City Council's current by-laws, the proposed dog patrols in parts of the city would be prohibited. This would mean the council would be breaching its own by-laws.

Yarriambiack -The Yarriambiack Shire is asking its residents if they would like the municipality's animal laws tightened. The shire's Ray Campling says the council has been inundated with complaints from people about wandering and stray animals at Murtoa and Minyip. Yesterday, the shire decided to send out a survey to about 400 residents at Minyip to gauge community opinion on changing the local animal by-laws."Then we'll do the analysis and come to some conclusions [about] whether we extend the survey throughout the municipality or we use this as a random selected survey to generate some sort of direction for council's consideration

ITALY

Welfare Undersecretary Francesca Martini on Tuesday launched a campaign to scrap Italy's blacklist of dangerous dogs, replacing it with a law making owners more responsible for their pet's training and behavior.

SCOTLAND

A man’s best friend is his dog, unless you are a Muslim councillor in Scotland who found this advertisement so offensive he complained, received an apology, and was assured that no ‘unclean animal’ would feature again in such a campaign. Is this what the Lord Chief Justice had in mind when he advocated Shari’a law in the UK? But now one police story has been overtaken by another of such startling absurdity that even the Lord Chief Justice must be regretting his ill-considered words. Apparently, police sniffer dogs will have to adhere to Shari’s Law and wear ‘bootees’ (with rubber soles, no less) when searching the homes of Muslims so as not to cause offence. The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) has drawn up ‘guidelines’ on ‘religious sensitivities’ when using dogs to search for drugs and explosives.

Winner of the "Moron of the Month" has to go to the following:

MAN BITES MAN (Dog was Puzzled)

NURENBERG — A 21-year-old man involved in a brawl at a Nurenberg pub apparently tried to teach his "Pit Bull" (Staffordshire Terrier) how to bite people by demonstrating the technique.
After beating a man to the ground, the 21-year-old got down on his hands and knees and repeatedly sunk his teeth into the unconscious victim's legs and buttocks, allegedly trying to show the dog what to do.

He was arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm.

(Ed.note:) The dog stayed at the pub - thankful that his ex-owner was hauled off - no doubt tipping a few while discussing training techniques and the banning of dangerous humans.

Handy Toll Free Numbers

2008-06-25T03:23:00.000-04:00

The toll free numbers at the heading of the Monthly National Legislation Report will no longer be listed at the beginning of the report. However, we have listed those numbers in this post which will be automatically archived for future use.

Handy Toll Free Numbers - Capitol Switchboard

1-866-220-0044
1-866-340-9281
1-877-851-6437
1-888-355-3588
1-800-833-6354
1-800-450-8293
1-877-762-8722
1-877-762-8762