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.
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
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
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
