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PrestigeousYT · 04-03-2008, 04:58 AM

Dallas Texas Contemplates Harmful Ordinance More Info

April 1, 2008

The City of Dallas is contemplating major changes to its pet laws, including mandatory spay/neuter, pet number limits, and expensive breeder licensing.

The Dallas City Council will soon be reviewing proposed Chapter 7 Animal Ordinance Revisions. They will be considering changes to the city's animal control in a series of steps, beginning with a briefing by Code Compliance tomorrow, April 2nd. Subsequently, the Quality of Life Committee is expected to more closely examine the proposal during a meeting on April 28th, before the ordinance revisions would move to the full City Council for a vote. Dates are subject to change, so we will keep you updated.

NAIA is working to defeat this misguided ordinance change, along with several other national groups and the Texas Responsible Pet Owners Alliance.

NAIA supports policies that reward responsible breeders, who remain the community's best source of healthy, well-socialized pets. We believe the proposed ordinance under consideration in Dallas would unfairly penalize responsible breeders and pet owners and have unintended consequences while failing to lower pet euthanasia rates or increase pet licensing.

The proposed Chapter 7 Animal Ordinance Revisions would do the following:

Require all dogs and cats over 4 months of age to be spayed/neutered;
Require $500 Breeder Permits required each year per animal;
Require Rescuer and Foster Home Permits to be able to keep more than 10 dogs, cats or any combination which has special requirements that must be met;
Ban tethering of dogs unless owner is present;
Impose confinement requirements of 150 ft. pen size per dog.
Please contact the Dallas city officials below about opposing this pet ordinance, using the following Talking Points:

This type of legislation has failed every place where it has been attempted: In the late 1980's and early 1990's this sort of legislation passed in a number of cities and counties, including San Mateo, but the director of the humane society there, which pushed that legislation now admits that it's the wrong approach. Similar measures have been tried and failed in Santa Cruz, CA, King County, WA, and Montgomery County, MD.
As with any extreme licensing or spay/neuter requirement, there is a risk that pet owners will simply not comply. They may decide it's too burdensome to purchase pet licenses, breeder/rescuer permits, or get Rabies Vaccinations and will go underground, creating a public health threat.
This ordinance will not reduce strays nor lower the budget for Dallas Animal Services. In fact the enforcement and administration of this law is likely to place increased financial burden on the department.
On Mandatory Spay/Neuter:

The decision to spay or neuter is best made between the pet owner and their veterinarian, not city government. All surgery incurs some risk of complications, which can result in death.
This concept is part of a national "animal rights" legislative agenda to swap traditional breeding and ownership of animals with adoption of strays and dogs imported from other countries, and was not developed to address local animal problems.
On Pet Limits:

Limits are arbitrarily assigned and do nothing to directly reduce animal cruelty or public nuisances.
Provisions are unenforceable without costly door-to-door enforcement and will mean more animals will be relinquished to local shelters and Animal Services.
Pet limits mean fewer homes for dogs and cats.
Breeders and rescuers are already regulated by animal nuisance, animal cruelty and leash laws, which more directly address specific, tangible nuisances.
In Conclusion:

This legislation is vehemently opposed by dog and cat hobbyists who would feel their events are not welcome in Dallas. Dog and cat shows are held annually and have a positive economic impact on cities, with exhibitors spending millions at area businesses.
The solution is strict enforcement of existing leash laws, animal cruelty and animal nuisance laws; education in proper pet care and bite prevention; free and low cost pet spay/neuter programs; and aggressive off-site pet adoptions for impounded animals at Animal Services.
Be sure to place "Opposition to proposed Chapter 7 revisions" in the subject line or first sentence to ensure that your email receives the proper attention.

Address all:
City of Dallas
1500 Marilla Street
Dallas, Texas 75201

DIRECT E-MAIL ADDRESSES ARE NOT PROVIDED, BUT THE WEB ADDRESSES BELOW WILL ALLOW YOU TO PASTED YOUR EMAIL TEXT INTO A FORM FOR COUNCILMEMBERS:

Mayor Tom Leppert
Phone: (214) 670-4054
Fax: (214) 670-0646
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc..._mail_form.htm

City Manager Mary Suhm
Phone: (214) 670-3296
Fax: (214) 670-3946
No e-mail

Asst. City Manager David Brown
(supervises Animal Services)
Phone: (214) 670-3390
Fax: (214) 670-4965
No e-mail.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Elba Garcia
Phone: (214) 670-4052
Fax: (214) 670-3409
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD01_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Pauline Medrano
Chairman: Quality of Life Committee
Phone: (214) 670-4048
Fax: (214) 670-5117
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD02_Mail_Form.htm

Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway
Phone: (214) 670-0781
Fax: (214) 670-3409
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD04_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember David Neumann
Member: Quality of Life Committee
Phone: (214) 670-0776
Fax: (214) 670-1833
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD03_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Vonciel Jones Hill
Vice-Chair: Quality of Life Committee
Phone: (214) 670-0777
Fax: (214) 670-5117
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD05_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Steve Salazar
Member: Quality of Life Committee
Phone: (214) 670-4199
Fax: (214) 670-5115
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD06_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Carolyn Davis
Quality of Life Committee
Phone: (214) 670-4689
Fax: (214) 670-5115
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD07_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Tennell Atkins
Phone: (214) 670-4066
Fax: (214) 670-5115
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD08_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Sheffie Kadane
Quality of Life Committee
Phone: (214) 670-4069
Fax: (214) 670-5115
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD09_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Jerry Allen
Phone: (214) 670-4068
Fax: (214) 670-5115
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD10_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Linda Koop
Phone: (214) 670-7817
Fax: (214) 670-5117
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD11_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Ron Natinsky
Phone: (214) 670-4067
Fax: (214) 670-5117
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD12_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Mitchell Rasansky
Phone: (214) 670-3816
Fax: (214) 670-5117
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD13_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Angela Hunt
Phone: (214) 670-5415
Fax: (214) 670-5117
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD14_Mail_Form.htm

04-03-2008, 04:58 AM	#1
PrestigeousYT YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Somewhere Out there............ Posts: 1,742	Dallas Texas Contemplates Harmful Ordinance More Info Dallas Texas Contemplates Harmful Ordinance More Info April 1, 2008 The City of Dallas is contemplating major changes to its pet laws, including mandatory spay/neuter, pet number limits, and expensive breeder licensing. The Dallas City Council will soon be reviewing proposed Chapter 7 Animal Ordinance Revisions. They will be considering changes to the city's animal control in a series of steps, beginning with a briefing by Code Compliance tomorrow, April 2nd. Subsequently, the Quality of Life Committee is expected to more closely examine the proposal during a meeting on April 28th, before the ordinance revisions would move to the full City Council for a vote. Dates are subject to change, so we will keep you updated. NAIA is working to defeat this misguided ordinance change, along with several other national groups and the Texas Responsible Pet Owners Alliance. NAIA supports policies that reward responsible breeders, who remain the community's best source of healthy, well-socialized pets. We believe the proposed ordinance under consideration in Dallas would unfairly penalize responsible breeders and pet owners and have unintended consequences while failing to lower pet euthanasia rates or increase pet licensing. The proposed Chapter 7 Animal Ordinance Revisions would do the following: Require all dogs and cats over 4 months of age to be spayed/neutered; Require $500 Breeder Permits required each year per animal; Require Rescuer and Foster Home Permits to be able to keep more than 10 dogs, cats or any combination which has special requirements that must be met; Ban tethering of dogs unless owner is present; Impose confinement requirements of 150 ft. pen size per dog. Please contact the Dallas city officials below about opposing this pet ordinance, using the following Talking Points: This type of legislation has failed every place where it has been attempted: In the late 1980's and early 1990's this sort of legislation passed in a number of cities and counties, including San Mateo, but the director of the humane society there, which pushed that legislation now admits that it's the wrong approach. Similar measures have been tried and failed in Santa Cruz, CA, King County, WA, and Montgomery County, MD. As with any extreme licensing or spay/neuter requirement, there is a risk that pet owners will simply not comply. They may decide it's too burdensome to purchase pet licenses, breeder/rescuer permits, or get Rabies Vaccinations and will go underground, creating a public health threat. This ordinance will not reduce strays nor lower the budget for Dallas Animal Services. In fact the enforcement and administration of this law is likely to place increased financial burden on the department. On Mandatory Spay/Neuter: The decision to spay or neuter is best made between the pet owner and their veterinarian, not city government. All surgery incurs some risk of complications, which can result in death. This concept is part of a national "animal rights" legislative agenda to swap traditional breeding and ownership of animals with adoption of strays and dogs imported from other countries, and was not developed to address local animal problems. On Pet Limits: Limits are arbitrarily assigned and do nothing to directly reduce animal cruelty or public nuisances. Provisions are unenforceable without costly door-to-door enforcement and will mean more animals will be relinquished to local shelters and Animal Services. Pet limits mean fewer homes for dogs and cats. Breeders and rescuers are already regulated by animal nuisance, animal cruelty and leash laws, which more directly address specific, tangible nuisances. In Conclusion: This legislation is vehemently opposed by dog and cat hobbyists who would feel their events are not welcome in Dallas. Dog and cat shows are held annually and have a positive economic impact on cities, with exhibitors spending millions at area businesses. The solution is strict enforcement of existing leash laws, animal cruelty and animal nuisance laws; education in proper pet care and bite prevention; free and low cost pet spay/neuter programs; and aggressive off-site pet adoptions for impounded animals at Animal Services. Be sure to place "Opposition to proposed Chapter 7 revisions" in the subject line or first sentence to ensure that your email receives the proper attention. Address all: City of Dallas 1500 Marilla Street Dallas, Texas 75201 DIRECT E-MAIL ADDRESSES ARE NOT PROVIDED, BUT THE WEB ADDRESSES BELOW WILL ALLOW YOU TO PASTED YOUR EMAIL TEXT INTO A FORM FOR COUNCILMEMBERS: Mayor Tom Leppert Phone: (214) 670-4054 Fax: (214) 670-0646 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc..._mail_form.htm City Manager Mary Suhm Phone: (214) 670-3296 Fax: (214) 670-3946 No e-mail Asst. City Manager David Brown (supervises Animal Services) Phone: (214) 670-3390 Fax: (214) 670-4965 No e-mail. Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Elba Garcia Phone: (214) 670-4052 Fax: (214) 670-3409 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD01_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Pauline Medrano Chairman: Quality of Life Committee Phone: (214) 670-4048 Fax: (214) 670-5117 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD02_Mail_Form.htm Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway Phone: (214) 670-0781 Fax: (214) 670-3409 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD04_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember David Neumann Member: Quality of Life Committee Phone: (214) 670-0776 Fax: (214) 670-1833 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD03_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Vonciel Jones Hill Vice-Chair: Quality of Life Committee Phone: (214) 670-0777 Fax: (214) 670-5117 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD05_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Steve Salazar Member: Quality of Life Committee Phone: (214) 670-4199 Fax: (214) 670-5115 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD06_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Carolyn Davis Quality of Life Committee Phone: (214) 670-4689 Fax: (214) 670-5115 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD07_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Tennell Atkins Phone: (214) 670-4066 Fax: (214) 670-5115 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD08_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Sheffie Kadane Quality of Life Committee Phone: (214) 670-4069 Fax: (214) 670-5115 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD09_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Jerry Allen Phone: (214) 670-4068 Fax: (214) 670-5115 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD10_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Linda Koop Phone: (214) 670-7817 Fax: (214) 670-5117 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD11_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Ron Natinsky Phone: (214) 670-4067 Fax: (214) 670-5117 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD12_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Mitchell Rasansky Phone: (214) 670-3816 Fax: (214) 670-5117 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD13_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Angela Hunt Phone: (214) 670-5415 Fax: (214) 670-5117 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD14_Mail_Form.htm