New Law in New York Protecting Dogs

[Die Fledermaus]

>>http://origin.ny1.com/content/top_stories/132413/city-council-approves-new-dog-protection-measures<<

There is a video on that link, and here is the story:

>>The City Council passed two bills Tuesday aimed at protecting dogs. NY1's Grace Rauh filed the following report.

Many dogs out for a walk in the park or a stroll down the street look happy and healthy. But not all pooches are so lucky. Some, who are restrained for long stretches of time, end up with serious injuries.

"Tethering an animal is a form of animal cruelty. And an animal that's abused like that becomes more dangerous," said City Councilman Peter Vallone Junior.

Vallone Jr. says a dog that's tied up is three times more likely to bite than one that's allowed to roam free. He sponsored legislation to make it illegal to tie up a dog for more than three consecutive hours in 12-hour period. It prohibits owners from using tethers that choke a dog or are too heavy. The bill also requires food, water, and adequate shelter be given to a dog if it's restrained for more than 15 minutes. First-time offenders face a fine of up to $250. A repeat violator could face a fine of up to $500 or up to three months in prison.

"We simply don't have tough enough laws on the books to deal with this. Nor do we have enough people in power to enforce the law nor do we have strict enough fines or criminal penalties and that's what this bill will do," said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

The Council overwhelmingly approved the bill on Tuesday. But there was some strong opposition from Republicans on the Council to a second piece of related legislation, that would increase the fee owners have to pay to register their dog, if it isn't neutered or spayed.

"At the end of the day, now we are taxing our dogs. I think it's come time that the city stop taxing its citizens and start reducing the unnecessary spending it engages in," said City Councilman Dan Halloran.

The registration fee would jump from $11.50 to $34. The extra money will be used to subsidize animal population control programs and is meant to encourage New Yorkers to spay and neuter their pets.

The Council approved the legislation by a vote of 41-to-7.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected to sign both bills into law.<<

[lyn]

Passing a bill is one thing, enforcing it is another. People need to pay for their actions as if they were tethering their human child. A friend of mine owns a beautiful blue Pitt Bull, and he is one of the most friendly dogs you would evert want to meet. But every time I go to her house he is in his crate. I always tell her to let him out but she always has an excuse as to why he's in there. I love when she goes on vacation because we take him for walks and hang out with him for awhile. I call him Gino the Shark. He is silver like a shark and has a severe bottom jaw underbite like a Great White has. Not the type of dog to be put in a crate. No dog should be locked up or tethered.

[Hamsters82]

Finally tougher laws to protect animals! Now all states needs to enforce these. Now all we need to do is to keep the person in jail longer and have a bigger fine for them.

[Die Fledermaus]

Had an argument on FB with a person I almost always agree with. She calls it government interference. Nonsense. I cited Henry Bergh, founder of the ASPCA and SPCC.

[lyn]

If the animals could do and speak for themselves only then would it be government interference. Does she feel the government interferes when people abuse their children?

[Die Fledermaus]

She is a friend and an ally. I did not want to make too big a deal and get in to a fight. But your are right.

She was not clear as to the dividing line between what is needed, and what, to her, is being "a busy body".

Back in 2006 I posted photo galleries of the big day we had at National Landmark Green-Wood Cemetery. We celebrated Henry Bergh and the ASPCA he founded. It was a major event, and the photos are worth finding. They are threads on this page:
>>http://kanez.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=AN&field=ordertime&order=desc&page=14<<