I need your help on an issue very near and dear to all of our hearts
 

I live in a small town - less than 5000 - so how far this would go - I have no idea. Our cops didnt even know about the anti-tethering law that was passed in Texas so who knows where I would get with this.

Dallas just passed these new provisions and some go into effect in later Oct but none the less it was passed -- NOW - if they will just enforce it!!

Establish a charge of $70 per animal for breeders to obtain permits. Previously, the city planned to charge $500 per animal.

•Limit a single house to six cats and/or dogs. People owning more than a half-acre of land would be allowed eight – something not contained in earlier versions of the proposal. People who currently own a greater number of animals could apply to the city to be allowed to keep their animals without penalty.

•Require that dogs and cats be spayed or neutered. But the ordinance would provide numerous exceptions. Animals younger than 6 months old, service animals, or those belonging to a licensed breeder would be exempt from spaying or neutering regulations. A veterinarian could also certify that an animal shouldn't be spayed or neutered for health reasons.

•Prohibit using animals as prizes.

•Allow the city to seize and impound a dog suspected of causing bodily injury to a person until after a hearing on the dog's fate. Now, such dogs are quarantined for 10 days and then returned to their owners in many cases.

•Prohibit tethering of unsupervised dogs to trees or poles except "for a period no longer than necessary for the owner to complete a temporary task."

•Force owners to provide at least 150 square feet of space and a "building or properly designed doghouse" for a dog confined outdoors.


What do I need help with? Well, what are you suggestions to get this started? Esp the one that is bolded in red. We dont have a lot of breeders here in town (just a handful if I had to guess) - one doesnt even know how to spell Yorkshire Terrier and advertises on a car (we wont even go there). At first my thought is to write a letter to our local newspaper and include pictures of a dog that lives around the corner from me that is always tied up and see where that gets me. First see if it even gets published and second to see where it would get me and/or create interest.

Thoughts/Ideas?


ETA: I meant to include the outdoor living space one as well for those confined outdoors

Definetly writing to the newspapers and getting them to get the word out about the new laws is a first step. But, I wouldn't wait when it comes to the poor thing around the corner. Keep reporting it to the police. Them not knowing about the law is no excuse. They have to enforce the law and punish that cruel owner. Keep at them. Go to council meetings and ask why the police are not enforcing the law. Find out who your animal control person is (if the city does not have one they must contract with another town or something) and keep on the phone with them. Basically you need to make a pest of yourself until they start enforcing the law. Good luck with it! It's wonderful that you want to do something about it!

Thanks, Teri, we dont have our own animal control. I believe they use the county's. I dont expect everyone to treat their dog like I treat Sam but I do expect them to take care of them. Chaining them up doesnt cut it for me.

I am going to start proposing my letter and then go from there.