If approved tonight, an animal welfare ordinance prompted by the plight of Butch the guard dog will take effect immediately, not in 20 days as is normal.
Animal activists from all over rallied to Butch's cause in February and a large number came to the Feb. 9 City Council meeting in support of the proposed legislation. A television crew from News12 even came to record the meeting. The activists had used Facebook, Change.org and Craig's List to draw attention to the issue.
The ordinance outlaws the use of chains to tether dogs outside and specifies the form of acceptable tethering, including accessibil be kept outside, especially in very cold or hot weather.
Councilman Cory Storch announced lifting of the 20-day time to take effect, a very rare occurrence in this writer's memory.
According to one report, animal advocates offered the dog's owner $1,000 for the animal's rescue, but he declined. The ordinance sets a range of fines from $100 to $1,000 per day of violation for failure to comply with the new rules and provides for seizure and impoundment of an animal whose owner defies the rules. If the owner cannot be identified or fails to reclaim the dog within two weeks, the animal will be made available for adoption.
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Saving dogs and closing emergency rooms .
ReplyDeleteTo anon... Unlike you, a chained dog can not just go to another emergency room for charity care. And since its closure, aside form the job loss and tax revenue loss, no one has died as a result of it. Besides, the Neighborhood Health Center on Rock Ave is still a viable option for medical care right here in the city.
ReplyDeleteYour use of the term charity care is coded racist and vile.
Deletelow income, no health insurance and no money to pay for full services equals what race exactly ?
Delete7:52pm has a problem. Reads racist into everything. Can't be a great existence.
DeleteApples and oranges we deserve both. I would like to see the work on animal rights grow as well as the work on getting better emergency care in the city. It is a step forward, even if it is not the step you want righ now. Keep pestering it will happen, and maybe we can save a few dogs in the meantime.
ReplyDeleteAnimals cannot help themselves unlike humans. Don't like it move.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame the council can't do the rest of their jobs as quick as they did this. Oh that's right Jerrys kids.
ReplyDelete