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WASHINGTON
Grays Harbor County - proposed barking ordinance text available upon request
Tacoma - City council will discuss changes to the city's animal control ordinance on dangerous dogs and problem pet owners. . Expand the definition of dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs. Unlike some jurisdictions, the rules don't address a particular breed of dog, but list the types of behavior that could cause a dog to be labeled dangerous. They include an unprovoked attack that inflicts "severe injury" or kills a person; an unprovoked attack that kills or injures a domestic animal badly enough that it's euthanized; and keeping a dog for the purpose of fighting. . Requires euthanasia or removal from the city for all dangerous dogs. . Prohibits bringing a dog to Tacoma that has been declared dangerous or potentially dangerous in another jurisdiction. . Creates the designation "problem pet owner." A person who commits three or more animal control violations in a 24-month period could be declared a problem pet owner and forced to surrender all of their animals. . Makes it a civil infraction to sell or give away puppies or kittens born to an unlicensed animal. Owners would be required to include the mother's license number in any published advertisements of puppies or kittens. . Enacts a complete ban on roosters in the city limits, a response to complaints about noise. Hens are allowed. . Make it a violation to improperly license a pet (to license an unaltered animal as an altered pet.) . Make it a crime to create or use counterfeit license tags. . Make it a violation to leave animal waste on public or private property, unless authorized. . Make anyone younger than 18 ineligible to license pets.
WISCONSIN
Madison - SB208 and AB567 - twin bills currently under consideration by the Wisconsin state legislature which are being touted as "puppy mill" legislation - unfortunately, they have gathered considerable support based on that alone. But if you actually read the text, it becomes apparent that they aren't just interested in achieving state oversight of large commercial breeders. Bill also contains a lemon law that applies to everyone in the state of Wisconsin who sells even one puppy - whether they consider themselves a "breeder" or not. If a person sells a pup with a genetic defect or that is sick or injured, the buyer only needs the say of a vet of their choosing and the seller is automatically guilty of a crime, owes the buyer and their vet three times the price of the pup in reimbursement and medical expenses and the state collects a $3,000 fine. If there are two pups within a year, the fine skyrockets to $10,000 for the second infraction plus prison time! Try to fight this in court and the seller could owe the buyer and their vet six times the price of the pup, plus lawyer fees. No proof required. No judge. No trial by jury. The breeder is not protected from false charges. text available upon request
Madison - Wisconsin Humane Society Is calling for further legislation to "stop puppy mills" and wants "guardianship" for all dogs. No formal legislation has been introduced to date.
OTHER COUNTRIES OF INTEREST
Korea
Seoul - Owners of all pet dogs will have to register with the regional government from next year. They will be also required to attach an identification tag to their pet's neck.
Switzerland
Zurich - government wants to make all dog owners in Switzerland liable for damage caused by their pets - regardless of breed. Under a draft law, to be discussed by parliament at a later stage, dog owners would also have to take out mandatory insurance. Bans on dangerous dogs have been imposed or are under discussion in several cantons, but so far there have been no specific nationwide laws on the issue.
United Arab Emirates
Dubai - Sixteen breeds of dogs face seizure by Dubai Municipality inspectors if they are found loitering in public places without a leash and a mask. The municipality had issued a notice on November 28 branding as dangerous breeds like Doberman, Rottweiler, Husky, Tosa, Bull Terrier, American Pitt Bull Terrier, American Bull Dog, Miniature Bull Terrier, Argentinean Mastiff, Shar Pei, Old English Bull Dog etc as dangerous. The civic body stated that these dogs were prohibited in residential areas, public places, markets and shopping centers from January 1. The notice cautioned that the municipality would seize the dogs after the lapse of the grace period. The notice had sparked protests from canine lovers. Hisham Fahmi, head of the Veterinary Services Section in Dubai Municipality, said, “These dogs are not allowed in residential apartments. The order has been passed as we were getting a lot of complaints from the people residing in the residential apartments. People going for prayers had complained that these dogs were creating a lot of menace and dirt. Also, there were many cases of dog bites in areas like Jumeirah, Al Barsha, Umm Suqeim and Deira,” he said. “If someone in a particular apartment complains about a dog menace, we would be confiscating the dog immediately. The rule has come into effect yesterday. Also, if a dog is taken in a public park or any public place, it should have a mask and a leash. The dog collar should have its registration number and the dog should have been vaccinated. The municipality would be strict if these regulations are not maintained,” he added. The official pointed out that people in the villas could keep one dog. “Though we would not be visiting all the apartments for checks right now, complaint would be handled in a strict manner,” added Fahmi.