<strong>The</strong> <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>National</strong> <strong>Legislation</strong> <strong>Report</strong>http://mnlreport.typepad.com/<strong>Page</strong> 112 <strong>of</strong> <strong>330</strong>7/5/<strong>2010</strong>Baxter – (10/23/09) - In an effort to control the number <strong>of</strong> dogs and cats in the city <strong>of</strong> Baxter, city codes inspector Bob Lane proposed an ordinance to the Baxter planning committee lastnight to do just that. <strong>The</strong> ordinance states that two or fewer cats are allowed on any lot a half-acre or less, three dogs or cats on any lot from one to two acres, and no more than four dogs orcats on two acres or more, unless zoned for a veterinary clinic or a boarding or grooming business. No dogs would be permanent at these locations, so not to exceed the number based onthe lot size set above. Any dog found vicious by nature or has an aggressive behavior or has a history <strong>of</strong> such behavior will have to be kept in a pen or inside a structure and cannot be tiedas a means to control that dog. People who would not be in compliance would be given a reasonable amount <strong>of</strong> time to get in compliance. Lane said that the city ordered equipment to startcatching cats, which are also a problem. Committee members expressed that they should put exceptions in before recommending it to the full board. <strong>The</strong> committee decided to look at someexceptions to add to the ordinance and re-visit it next month before taking it to the full board for approval.Dandridge – (10/13/09) - <strong>The</strong> Dandridge City Council rejected a proposed ban on pit bulls and will start from square one on the issue.Town Administrator Jim Hutchinson saidearlier Tuesday evening that city councilman denied the proposal as written. Hutchinson says the city is re-working the proposal to read "vicious dog" instead <strong>of</strong> naming a specific breed. Aworkshop on the revisions will be held the first Tuesday in November. A vote is expected in December.Dyersburg – (10/23/09) - <strong>The</strong> Dyersburg Board <strong>of</strong> Mayor and Aldermen approved an attorney's invoice for $4,781.25. McCright moved to approve the invoice, with Chaney adding a second.Moody noted the vicious dog entries listed on the invoice and asked if the city's new vicious dog ordinance was resulting in convictions in court. Holden said the ordinance is achieving resultsand the entries on the invoice are from the city attorney representing the city in court in vicious dog cases. He <strong>of</strong>fered to give Moody statistics on the new vicious dog ordinance later in theweek. Moody declined. <strong>The</strong> motion passed unanimously.Jackson (10/9/09) - <strong>The</strong> city <strong>of</strong> Jackson is proposing "breeder permits", anti-tethering, and pet limits (no more than 6 dogs or cats over the age <strong>of</strong> 6 months). <strong>The</strong> hearing is Thursday,October 15 @ 4pm. UPDATE: (10/16/09) - An hour long discussion on animal-control proposals focused on threeissues Thursday at Jackson City Hall:A $50 fee for owning more than six dogs and cats.How animal-control laws are enforced.How animals can be kept on property.City <strong>of</strong>ficials, animal organizations and area rescue groups were part <strong>of</strong> the discussion.Mayor Jerry Gist's crime task force has recommended that Jackson residents pay a $50 fee if they own more than six dogs and cats. <strong>The</strong> City Council has delayed a vote on that proposaland other animalcontrollaws until next month to allow city <strong>of</strong>ficials to consider the task force's proposal and an alternate proposal from City Councilman Frank Neudecker. Neudecker said Thursday he wantsto allow people to own as many pets as they want as long as the animals are properly maintained and not a nuisance. He asked that a definition for nuisance be placed in the task force'sproposal. <strong>The</strong> restriction would be on dogs and cats older than six months. If a violation occurred, the pet owner would have 30 days to appeal.Among the exceptions to the six-animal limit are rescue groups, owners <strong>of</strong> show dogs and breeders, who would have to get a special permit. UPDATE: (10/23/09) - Jackson <strong>of</strong>ficials andresidents on both sides <strong>of</strong> a proposed animal control ordinance exchanged sharp words on Thursday over a mandatory spay and neutering rule and the arrangement <strong>of</strong> the afternoon'smeeting. <strong>The</strong> meeting was the second held in hopes <strong>of</strong> producing a compromise proposal since the City Council postponed a vote on the rules earlierthis month. Another session is set for 4 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall. <strong>The</strong> ordinance, drafted in the spring by Mayor Jerry Gist's crime task force, would require most dogs and cats be spayed orneutered toprevent reproduction unless their owners pay for a $200 breeding permit. It would create a low-cost spay and neutering program funded by animal control fees that could be contracted out toa local nonpr<strong>of</strong>it. Robin Cannon, a member <strong>of</strong> the legislative committee <strong>of</strong> the American Rottweiler Club, also charged that the mandating <strong>of</strong> spaying and neutering interferes with propertyrights and veterinary practice. Some supporters <strong>of</strong> the spay and neuter rule also portrayed Cannon, who is from Kentucky, as an out-<strong>of</strong>-town interloper and painted breeders who allied withher as “high-spending elitists”. Councilman Frank Neudecker was concerned about local veterinarians being able to handle the increase <strong>of</strong> spay and neuter work the new law could bring.Neudecker said he has doubts that the ordinance will be voted onby the council in November. AND WE JUST HAD TO INCLUDE THIS LITTLE DITTY : City Council members got a couple impromptu canine anatomy lessons from Jackson residents onThursday during a public discussion <strong>of</strong> the mandatory spay and neuter rule in the animal control ordinance proposed by Mayor Jerry Gist’s crime task force. <strong>The</strong> rule would require most petowners to buy a $200 breeding permit if they do not have their animals surgically altered to prevent reproduction. <strong>The</strong> ordinance would have at least a portion <strong>of</strong> those fees filtered into payingfor a low-cost spay and neuter program. “It’s not an on-the-spot exam or something?” Councilman Ernest Brooks II asked when council members discussed enforcing the newrule. “You can only do that with the males,” said one woman. In discussing the need for the spay and neuter rule, another woman proclaimed: “One <strong>of</strong> the things the dogshave learned to do is how to get it done through the fence.” “Oh,” Brooks responded. “I’ve got a vivid picture now.” For additional article, click here. UPDATE: (10/28/09) –SPAY NEUTER RULE STANDS WHILE PET LIMIT FALLS (2 PAGES AT LINK) …A final meeting between the City Council and city <strong>of</strong>ficials on a proposed animal controlordinance ended Tuesday with the elimination <strong>of</strong> a firm limit <strong>of</strong> how many pets Jackson residents canown, and the retention <strong>of</strong> a mandatory spay-neuter rule that could derail approval <strong>of</strong> the new law. Councilman Ernest Brooks II, the only council member to actively speak at the meeting,drew plenty <strong>of</strong> frustration from the law's supporters. He told Vicki Lake, the crime task force's chairwoman, that he is opposed to the mandatory spay and neuter rule, which would require thatmost animals older than six months undergo surgery to prevent breeding. Lake <strong>of</strong>fered to bring down a fee pet owners must pay if they do not have their animal spayed or neutered from$200 to as low as $75, but Brooks did not budge. Brooks declined to discuss during the meeting how he reached his position. But after the meeting he said that he thinks the rule could putundue financialstrain on Jackson residents during a tough recession. It also might not be wise for the city to shoulder the increased spending to enforce the rules as it grapples with its ownfinancial cutbacks, he said. He said he is also concerned about the potential <strong>of</strong> certain breeds being unfairly targeted for enforcement <strong>of</strong> the spay and neuter rule. Lake refused to pull the rulefrom the ordinance. "That's the crux <strong>of</strong> it," she said.Memphis (10/27/09) - Starving, thirsty and sometimes ailing, more than 200 dogs and cats were in the care <strong>of</strong> volunteers Tuesday after law enforcement <strong>of</strong>ficers raided the City <strong>of</strong> MemphisAnimal Shelter. Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies executed a search warrant at the shelter, 3456 Tchulahoma, after a tipster complained about abuse and cruelty to the Shelby County DistrictAttorney General’s Office. “From what we’ve seen this morning, it’s evident there’s been some neglect,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell, who said he’d been told <strong>of</strong> deficiencies instaff training. Ten shelter employees and city Animal Services administrator Ernest Alexander were relieved <strong>of</strong> duty as the investigation continued, and Dist. Atty. Gen. Bill Gibbons saidcriminal charges were possible.Washington County – (10/30/09) - <strong>The</strong> Washington County-Johnson City Animal Control Center is pushing for a new law that would require animals over the age <strong>of</strong> six months to be spayedor neutered. Under the proposed ordinance, pet owners who choose not to spay or neuter their animals would have to obtain a permit to have an unaltered animal.TEXASHouston – (10/14/09)- <strong>The</strong> following item was on City Council's Agenda today:"ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2004-0808 to increase the maximum contract amount; approving and authorizing second amendment to contract between the City <strong>of</strong> Houston andPETDATA, INC for Animal Licensing Services for Houston Department <strong>of</strong> Health & Human Services - $380,000.00 - General Fund" I'm sure that this is a followup to the letter that Houstonveterinarians have recently received informing them that the city is going to "deputize" them to enforce pet licensing laws. (Click here to read) However, enforcement <strong>of</strong> pet licensing lawshas proven to be a waste <strong>of</strong> money in other cities and can cause kill rates to rise. <strong>The</strong> reason is that responsible people are going to be responsible WITHOUT laws. Irresponsible people willremain irresponsible and still will not license their pets no matter how many laws are passed. And when irresponsible people are faced with fines for not having licenses or being over the petlimit, they will DUMP the pet. (read more at the link) UPDATE: (10/21/09) - <strong>The</strong> above ordinance was passed by the Mayor and City Council this morning. It is very disappointing that ourcity leaders continue to spend our tax dollars on programs/laws that will NOT save lives, especially when our city claims to have a several million dollar shortfall. This $380,000 could havebeen used on so many programs that would save lives and we would see the benefits almost immediately. Our vet bills are going to go up because vets will, most likely, be forced to hireadditional staff to process the extra paperwork they are now required to handle. This again PUNISHES the very people that BARC needs, people who adopt and care for animals. (For full
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>National</strong> <strong>Legislation</strong> <strong>Report</strong>http://mnlreport.typepad.com/<strong>Page</strong> 113 <strong>of</strong> <strong>330</strong>7/5/<strong>2010</strong>article, click here.) Please click HERE for further reading and information !Live Oak – (10/21/09) - City Council here showed it knows how to say “no” when it comes to spending city funds on items that can wait. As with other cities large and small in this area, LiveOak is dealing with a tight budget caused mainly by a fall in sales tax revenues and property tax monies. Mayor Joe Painter encouraged the council to approve the dog park proposal but notfund it, to see if there is enough public interest in the project for a citizens’ group to get behind the dog park and help raise funds for it. Council did not accept Painter’s idea and instead votedto postpone the dog park plan and instructed city staff to look for an alternative site.Wake Village – (10/19/09) - What used to be on the Wake Village municipal law books as part <strong>of</strong> a nuisance ordinance is now a separate ordinance regulating dangerous animals.<strong>The</strong> law, which the Wake Village City Council approved last week, is a 17-page ordinance regulating kennel operations, confinement <strong>of</strong> a dog on its owner premises, destruction<strong>of</strong> dangerous dogs or animals, criminal penalties for violations, impounding <strong>of</strong> dogs, release <strong>of</strong> animals , reclaiming <strong>of</strong> animals and rabies control.UTAHRiver Heights – (10/12/09) -After reported incidents <strong>of</strong> residents being bitten by pet dogs, the Planning and Zoning commission and the City Council both are cracking down on the city’s dog licensing law, to make sureno pet owner goes without giving their animal proper vaccination. <strong>The</strong> ordinance has been under review and will be set in stone after a public hearing to take place Oct. 20. <strong>The</strong> deadline fordog licensing is Jan. 1. After this deadline there will be a grace period until March 1 because rabies clinics are <strong>of</strong>fered in February. Proceeding after this point with a pet that is not licensed willbecome delinquent and is a class C misdemeanor. <strong>The</strong> ordinance now states that failure to license a dog on time will result in a $10 fine every month. <strong>The</strong>y will continually be billed via mailuntil they show documentation <strong>of</strong> license. <strong>The</strong> planning and zoning commission discussed impounding the dog if the owner did not show record <strong>of</strong> vaccination after a second situation wasissued. Animal control <strong>of</strong>ficer Kenny Eggleston said it is not lawful to walk on the property <strong>of</strong> the dog ordinance <strong>of</strong>fender without permission from a judge. He said he is also worried about a“backlash,” from the dog owners. Eggleston said if dog owners continue to disregard the ordinance he will “take them to jail if it comes to that.” He said, “You better have your dog registeredjust like your vehicles.” <strong>The</strong> commission discussed sending a recording to all households as a reminder to get any dogs without licenses taken care <strong>of</strong> by the designated due date.VIRGINIAA message to dog owning sportsmen about protecting their traditions, avocations and livelihoods from anti-hunting, anti-breeding, animal guardianship advocates. Forwarding and crossposting, with attribution, encouraged. <strong>The</strong> message below was posted to Virginia residents by the Sportsmen's and Animal Owners' Voting Alliance (SAOVA). SAOVA is a nonpartisanvolunteer group working to protect Americans from the legislative and political threats <strong>of</strong> radical animal rightists. It is the only national organization fighting this struggle for both sportsmenand animal owners, natural allies, in these arenas. Visit our website at http://saova.org for this program's goals, methodology and list signup details.VHDOA’s 2009 Election EndorsementsAfter careful consideration <strong>of</strong> their bill sponsorships, voting records and other actions, the Virginia Hunting Dog Owners’ Association endorses Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelliin the November 3, 2009 general election. Each <strong>of</strong> these candidates has demonstrated commitment, competence and unusual support for Virginia’s sportsmen and animal owners.GovernorBob McDonnell is a strong 2nd Amendment advocate. Moreover, as Attorney General he vigorously pursued greater dog fighting penalties while blocking Norfolk’s extralegal attempts toreduce pet owners’ rights. He also has shown the managerial and political skills to be great chief executive.Creigh Deeds has a discouraging anti-dog owner General Assembly record. Since 2005, Sen. Deeds voted for the animal rightist Humane Society <strong>of</strong> the U.S. breeder restriction bill whichbecame the first such law in the country, abstained from voting on a bill that required impounded dogs to be spayed or neutered before being returned, and voted for a bill that allowedanyone to apply to a magistrate for a dangerous/vicious dog summons, bypassing law enforcement and animal control <strong>of</strong>ficers. He also introduced a bill that singled out hunting dog ownersfor draconian trespassing penalties far in excess <strong>of</strong> those applicable to hunters without dogs.Lt. GovernorLt. Governor Bill Bolling’s General Assembly voting record on issues important to sportsmen and animal owners is a positive one. Ms Wagner has no legislative record and her appointedadministrative resume is unimpressive.Attorney GeneralSen. Ken Cuccinelli has served seven years in the General Assembly. HSUS actively opposes his candidacy. His record defending your interests is long and broad. Not only are his votescarefully considered, he’s willing to take on bad bills in committee and on the Senate floor, speaking against them as he did on the animal rightist's repeated efforts to change Virginia’s K-12education curriculum. Sen. Cuccinelli also voted against HSUS’s breeder restriction bill and numerous other ill-considered anti-pet owner measures. He’ll be a tough, but fair minded AttorneyGeneral.Delegate Shannon’s legislative record is in stark contrast to Sen. Cuccinelli’s. Del. Shannon has voted for virtually every anti-sportsmen, anti-pet owner bill to come before the HouseAgriculture Committee or on the floor since he came to the General Assembly. Since 2004 there have been many important big and small House votes. His is reliably an anti-vote .House Race EndorsementsMore races are contested this election than in the recent past, but only a few are expected to be truly competitive. Despite this, your votes could decide key contests, including seats on thecritically important House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Chesapeake Committee, where Delegates Eisenberg, Hogan, Saxman and Shannon will be replaced. Equally significant, weneed to vote for supportive legislators and send others a message. <strong>The</strong> following incumbents continue to cast carefully considered votes on issues important you and deserve reelection:Terry Kilgore, R, District 1Bill Carrico, R, District 5Dave Nutter, R, District 7Morgan Griffith, R, District 8Charles Poindexter, R. District 9Danny Marshall, R, District 14C. Todd Gilbert, R, District 15Kathy Byron, R, District 22Benjamin Cline, R, District 24Steve Landes, R, District 25Edward Scott, R, District 30Jackson Miller, R, District 50Rob Bell, R, District 58Watkins Abbitt, I, District 59Thomas Wright, R, District 61R. Lee Ware, R, District 65Kirk Cox, R, District 66S. Chris Jones, R, District 76Salvatore Iaquinto, R, District 84Brenda Pogge, R, District 96Albert Pollard, D, District 99Lynwood Lewis, D, District 100This candidate analysis has a limited scope. We make no pretense <strong>of</strong> evaluating candidates' positions on taxes, education, health care or social issues. To the degree that hunting and dogownership are important to you, we <strong>of</strong>fer this review to be combined with other, personal considerations to determine your vote on November 3rd.Remember, the world is governed by those who show up.Please forward and share this message widely.Sincerely,Bob KaneVirginia Hunting Dog Owners' AssociationGreene County – (10/21/09) - Greene’s supervisors will hold a public hearing Tuesday, Nov. 10 to hear what citizens have to say about a proposed new county leash law. <strong>The</strong> decision wasmade shortly after the regularly scheduled meeting Oct. 13. Current ordinance states that “no dog shall be allowed to run at large, or remain unconfined, unrestricted or not penned up at anytime” - but only, says county administrator Barry Clark, “in subdivisions that have requested that they be covered.“ <strong>The</strong> amended ordinance will cover the entire county with the exception <strong>of</strong>agriculture and conservation zones.Danville – (10/23/09) - Danville City Council approved a pooper-scooper ordinance Thursday night that makes not cleaning up animal waste a Class 4 misdemeanor subject to a fine <strong>of</strong> up to$250. No one entered any objection to the plan during a public hearing held before council members voted on the new law, which passed unanimously. <strong>The</strong> new law covers pets that are notcleaned up after on both public and private property. City Manager Lyle Lacy said signs will be installed in city parks and along the Riverwalk Trail to let pet owners know the penalties for notobeying the law. Private property owners will be able to file complaints with the Danville Police Department, take out a warrant and testify in court about people who allow their pets to leave
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