Don't even get me started on this- for two years at least-- bills and or city ordinances have been surfacing around the US- I believe that Louisville and Lexington Kentucky city ordances are such as above if not more severe. I've posted on this before. I believe some faction has an agenda and it is against people owning pets.
-----Original Message-----From: Responsible Pet Owners Alliance [mailto:TX-RPOA@LISTSERV.TAMU.EDU] OnBehalf Of Responsible Pet Owners AllianceSent: Friday, January 12, 2007 12:24 PMTo:
TX-RPOA@LISTSERV.TAMU.EDUSubject:
Louisville Kennel Club to file lawsuit against Louisville KY TX-RPOA E-NewsFrom Responsible Pet Owners Alliance,the reasonable voice regarding animal issues in Texas.Responsible Pet Owners Alliance is an animal welfare organization,not "animal rights" and, yes, there is a difference.Permission granted to crosspost. January 12, 2007Normally RPOA sends out information on Texas and federal animal issues only, but since Albuquerque, NM, and Louisville, KY, have passed such onerousordinances, it behooves all of us to support the kennel clubs in these cities, who are filing lawsuits to prevent enforcement. If these ordinances are not blocked, they will spread like wildfire and in fact they alreadyhave and will continue to do so. Since when are bad ordinances passed and "then" become a work in progress?After signing the Louisville, KY, ordinance, Mayor Jerry Abramson had this to say: "Is it a perfect ordinance? I would submit to you that it is not. It is a work in progress." Eleven Republicans on the city council, the media, Louisville Kennel Club, League of Kentucky Sportsmen, American Kennel Club and many others asked the mayor to veto the measure, but he rejected that idea. The League said it is an effort to adopt an agenda advanced by animal-rights groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) was influential in getting the ordinance passed. The League plans to join Louisville Kennel Club (and possibly other groups) in a lawsuit to block enforcement. The onerous ordinance passed on a strictly partisan split of votes with Republicans opposed to the ordinance and Democrats supporting it. WhileDemocratic council members say they are not likely to rescind the ordinance, some of them say changes are necessary. But one councilman says the changesand clarifications will probably fall short of what some would like. The Louisville Kennel Club says they may have lost this battle, but the war is far from over. They cancelled their January 21 Fun Match and it will berescheduled. But they ask that exhibitors do NOT boycott the upcoming 2007 Kentuckiana Cluster of Dog Shows, the largest show in the country, because funds will now be needed for the legal battle they are about to take on with the city. The Club has already spent $50,000 fighting the ordinance and it's too late to move the Cluster. They suggest exhibitors stay in a hotel/motel just outside Jefferson County within easy driving distance from the fairgrounds. Shop, buy gas, food, etc. outside Jefferson County. After they get home, send a letter or email to the metro council and the mayor stating why you did not stay in Louisville and how much money was lost to them as a result. Those who wish to make a statement may do so by taking one of the following actions:1. Enter, but don't show. 2. Enter, and show but buy a black armband in support of the Club's legislative fund to fight this anti-pet ordinance, andlet the Louisville Kennel Club know that you support a move to Lexington for the 2008 Show. 3) Enter, and show, but avoid all Louisville businesses! The ordinance has many objectionable provisions, including: All impounded dogs must be spayed/neutered. The Director has discretion to reduce fees/fines if you spay/neuter your animal. The Director cannot waivethe requirement to have your impounded animal altered before that animal may be released. If you own more than 3 dogs, and you live on less than 0.5 acres, you are in violation of the ordinance. There is no grandfather clause. If you own more than 7 dogs and you live on less than 2 acres, you are in violation of the ordinance. Again, no grandfather clause. Rescuers note: Animal welfare groups (ie rescue organizations) must have facilities which meet the standards for pet shops or boarding kennels.Animal Welfare Groups are required to pay a license fee which makes them subject to inspections. Vets are required to turn over their Rabies shot records to Louisville Metro Animal Services. They are also required to notify their clients of the provisions of the 94+ page ordinance. Animal Control officers can decide if you are "physically able" to control your dog -- if they don't think so, they can impound your dog. If you show your unaltered dog, and travel with it for more than 3 days, you must notify the Director as to the change in location of your unaltered dog.The owner of an unaltered dog shall not be changed without notification to the Director of Metro Animal Services. All unaltered dogs must be in an enclosure *approved in writing* by the Director. No unaltered dog can be on a leash more than 4 feet long. If you sell, give away, or board (yes, board) your unaltered dog, you must notify the Director. You may not purchase an unaltered dog without the written permission of the Metro Animal Services Director. All unaltered dogs must be microchipped. You may not keep your unaltered dog in a house in which the windows are open and only screens present to prevent the dog from exiting. If you have an unexpected litter, and you want to sell it, you may only have one unaltered animal (of ANY species) otherwise you will need a $300 AnimalDealer's license. Prong, chain and pinch collars are prohibited. Dissections in biology classes are prohibited. Nuisance Law: If any of your animals (not just dogs) "irritates" or "perturbs" anyone twice within a 5 year period, you will be forced to give up ALL of your animals and will be prohibited from owning animals again for 2 years. You must have your dog/cat re-vaccinated against rabies and re-licensed every time you remove it from a kennel/cattery. This includes boarding kennels. If you purchase an animal that was illegally advertised (because it needed a license or permit but did not have one) you are in violation. If you break any law (including walking your dog off leash) your dog can be impounded and must be altered before you may reclaim it. If you sell or give away a dog, cat, ferret, puppy, kitten, or kit, you must report the sale and the new owner's information to Louisville Metro AnimalServices within 10 days. If you accidentally injure an animal (say hit it with your car because it ran out in the street in front of you), you have committed animal cruelty and may be civilly penalized up to $1000. Exotic species (gerbils, parakeets, hamsters) must have careful health records consisting of the point of origin of the animal, medical history of said animal, date of sale, date of later transfer of ownership and these records must be maintained and available to Louisville Metro Animal Services upon request.
Any dog can be declared "dangerous" or "potentially dangerous" at the whim of the Metro Animal Services Director. This subjects the dog to enclosurerequirements and increased licensed fees and has a faulty appeal process. Please support the Louisville Kennel Club.
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