Legislative Report 1/16/08 Page 1

Legislative Report 01-16-08
Authored by: Ken Sondej & Linda D. Witouski
Ken Sondej - 4winds@viawest.net
American Kennel Club Legislative Liaison - Silver State Kennel Club
Legislative Liaison - National Pet Press
Legislative Liaison - Nevada Dog Fanciers Assc.
Director Government Affairs and Legislative Advisor - Adopt A Rescue Pet
Nevada Director – Responsible Dog Owners Western States (RDOWS)
Advisor - Indiana Animal Owners Alliance
Advisor to Clubs and groups in Southern Nevada, Arizona, California
Linda Witouski - dropfred13@aol.com
American Kennel Club Judge
American Kennel Club Delegate - Myrtle Beach Kennel Club - SC
American Kennel Club Legislative Liaison - South Carolina & Pennsylvania
Legislative Liaison/Staff Writer - National Pet Press/TDP
Legislative Chair/BOD - Myrtle Beach Kennel Club
Legislative Chair - Yankee Miniature Pinscher Club
Legislative Chair - Miniature Pinscher Club of America, Inc.
Member: NAIA, MOF, ERPT, DSJA, DJAA, MBKC, YMPC, MPCA
Handy TOLLFREE NUMBERS - Capitol Switchboard
Here are some toll-free numbers for the 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
FEDERAL
U.S. Senate passes Farm Bill with important Companion Animal Provision - Last Chance for Animals (AR group) applauds Senate for making pet theft a Federal Issue.
Toledo OH - Tellings appeal to the United States Supreme Court was filed 12-21-07
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/docket/07-8545.htm
STATES - IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
ALABAMA
Athens - repeals pet license ordinance. City officials said the registration was costing the city more money than it was bringing in and that it was a duplication of services with a state health law that requires dogs to be vaccinated for rabies. 12/17/07
Colbert County - County's animal control director is asking the county's larger municipalities to consider an ordinance that would outlaw chaining dogs. Government officials in Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and Tuscumbia said they are aware of the request from county Animal Control Director Tommy Morson, but so far none of the councils has adopted the proposed ordinance. When he presented the proposal to Sheffield council members, Morson said chaining dogs to a stake or post makes the animals more territorial and aggressive. In addition to prohibiting tethering or chaining of dogs to stationary objects, the ordinance would mandate that dog pens must provide 100 square feet of space for each dog over 3 months old. If dogs are confined within a fenced-in yard, the area must have sufficient space for exercise based on a dimension of 100 square feet per dog. Fences must be constructed of chain link or similar material and be tall enough to prevent the dog from escaping and each animal must have his own dog house.
Dothan - new ordinance gives AC officers right of entry for the purpose to impound animal(s) and issue citations for violations (against Alabama State Law), defines regulations for "dangerous", "vicious" and nuisance (any animal at large not spay or neutered)" dogs, prohibits urination on private property or defecate on public property, liability for damage caused by animal(s) and care of livestock. text available upon request.
ARKANSAS
Crossett - extended discussion involving the city's existing animal ordinance as compared to a recommendation prepared by a committee working on the definition of a vicious dog, the council moved that City Attorney James Hamilton amend the existing
ordinance and prepare the committee's suggestion in ordinance form for further discussion and review by the council.
North Little Rock - new ordinance, Little Rock residents still will be allowed to have pit bulls, and new residents can move with their dogs into the city but will have to register them with Animal Services, pose for a photograph with the dog, sterilize the animal and pay an additional fee to have a dangerous breed permit. The ordinance also limits owners to two dogs per household, would apply to American pit bull terriers, Staffordshire terriers, American Staffordshire terriers and any mix of those breeds. Text is available upon request. NOTE: City of Little Rock was added to a lawsuit filed by Responsible Owners of Arkansas Dogs (ROADS) regarding breed selective legislation and banning of certain breeds
CALIFORNIA
City of Sacramento - importing adoptable dogs to meet the demand at the shelters and building a new $25 million shelter where, evidently, they are planning to eventually be the only place in town to "buy" a pet.
Kern County - During the months of May and June 2007, ten public workshops were conducted throughout Kern County to introduce possible Animal Ordinance amendments. As a result of public input received during those workshops, staff indicated that a number of changes would be included in further discussion with the Animal Control Commission Commission will further discuss this matter at its Wednesday, January 16, 2008 meeting, 6:00 p.m. at the Public Services Building, 2700 M Street, Bakersfield. It is possible that a formal recommendation on this proposal may be acted upon at the February 20, 2007 Commission meeting.
COLORADO
Carbondale - Town Council agreed Tuesday (12/11/07) after reviewing a draft of the new ordinance aimed at addressing aggressive animals, that it requires tweaking. A revised version will come back to town trustees with further clarification of the penalty for neglecting a dog and a refined definition of “vicious.” Other issues- mandatory leash laws and limiting the number of dogs a single owner can have were also discussed. Board members agreed the revised ordinance should include rewards for responsible owners.
Edgewood - seeks to join surrounding communities in limiting the number of animals in a home. Limits are based on the number of lots you are on, as opposed to the number of acres. A 100-acre lot has the same limits as a person on a 1-acre lot.
Parachute - ordinance that would have banned pit bulls, unless their owners followed several strict requirements, died after two motions to approve it failed for lack of seconds. One motion would have added other dog breeds, such as Dobermans and Rottweilers, to the ban. DEAD 12/13/07
Parachute - Town Council approves vicious-pet ordinance regaring dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs. The ordinance would apply to all breeds of dogs and any kinds of pets. A municipal judge would determine whether an animal is potentially dangerous after a hearing. A dog designated as potentially dangerous would have to be spayed or neutered and kept indoors or in a secure pen to prevent it from escaping, according to the ordinance. A dog classified as dangerous, meaning it had violated the ordinance after being deemed potentially dangerous, would be humanely euthanized. If the dog were taken off its owner's property, it must wear a leash no longer than 4 feet. The owner would also have to display a sign on his or her property to alert people that a dangerous animal was present, and obtain a special license and tag from the town. Violators of those conditions would be subject to a municipal fine.The ordinance will take effect once the Town Council gives it final approval at its next meeting.