Local Animal Laws Online

Have you ever tried to find out if dog poop must be cleaned up or cats must be kept on their own property or on a leash in your town? Some cities and towns are very good about having all laws available and searchable online while others, not so much.

I think back some ten years ago when a roommate of mine allowed his cat to wonder about outside, until one day the cat was picked up by animal control and the owner fined for noncompliance of the city's leash law. Yes, this particlar city did, in fact, have a leash law for both dogs AND cats. When I started thinking about how accessible local laws are or are not, I decided to call this city's animal control office to inquire about the law. My question was simple, "Does your city have a leash law for cats?" The first answer I received was, "No." Having some experience with that law in that city I pressed for more information. After a few minutes on hold, the person came back on and had found, herself, that the leash law did, in fact, cover cats.

I am not trying to put any locale on trial. I only use this as an example of how difficult it can be to stay informed of local laws, particularly those pertaining to animals. If we want people to be responsible pet owners shouldn't we, at the very least, make sure they are aware of the laws they must follow?

In an effort to educate the public, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington has put all Arlington County companion animal and wildlife laws, in layman's terms, online. We hope that Arlington residents find it helpful and it makes it a little easier for our citizens to be responsible, law-abiding pet owners.

Good news for dogs...

From the VA SPCA, good news for dogs...

All three bills: puppy mill regulation, dog and cock fighting prohibitions and posting of bond by owners for seized animals have passed out of both Houses. House Bill 538 has to go back to the House from the Senate to accept the Senate amendment but hopefully that will happen this week.

The animal fighting bill, House Bill 656 came out of Senate unanimously as did House Bill 999, which requires the posting of a bond. The Puppy Mill regulation bill, House Bill 538 has had a somewhat more difficult fight but that is to be expected. It came out of the Senate 34-5 today. This bill was developed and promoted by a few of us in the Virginia animal welfare world and didn’t have the same “sexy” quality that the Vick case brought to dog fighting… and we didn’t have paid lobbyists supporting it, we just had you. The success of this bill is due entirely to the calls and letters and emails you all sent to your elected officials. This is a new area of regulation in Virginia and a bold step for which you should all feel proud.

If you go onto the Legislative website, www.leg1.state.va.us, you can look at any of these bills, how they moved through the process and who voted for them. You can click on Bills and Resolutions, then Most Frequently Accessed, you will find House Bill 538 and then House Bill 656 were nos. 3 & 4, after the budget bills. That is testament to the citizens’ interest, pro and con, on these important matters.

Spay and Neuter Law

Looks like California has taken a giant leap forward in the effort to make a dent in pet overpopulation by making spay and neuter not only the burden of shelters and rescues, but of the law. According to the NY Times:

"Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa of Los Angeles signed one of the nation’s toughest laws on pet sterilization, requiring most dogs and cats to be spayed or neutered by the time they are 4 months old. The ordinance intends to reduce and eventually eliminate the thousands of euthanizations conducted in the city’s animal shelters every year. The ordinance exempts some animals, including those that have competed in shows or sporting competitions, guide dogs, animals used by police agencies and those belonging to professional breeders."

Finally, legislators take it upon themselves to make the problem of pet overpopulation the entire community's responsibility, not just the shelters and rescues.

Citizen Safety is Never a Waste of Money

Remember the bill that requires states to include pets in their disaster plans or risk losing federal funds? Remember the statistics citing that as many as 44% of those who chose not to evacuate for Hurricane Katrina remained in danger because they would not leave their faithful, furry companions?

Now, some States and Counties are doing the best they can to ensure the safety of their citizens in the event of an emergency. Arlington County, Virginia, has allocated 10% of a Homeland Security grant to purchase and stock an emergency trailer that will be used to transport supplies needed to set up a temporary pet shelter in the event of a disaster.

Of course, as expected, some citizens are grumbling over what a waste of money this is and that it would be better spent on the people of the County rather than the pets. However, if you take just a moment to review what we have learned from Hurricane Katrina, it is obvious that having a plan for Arlington pets is, in fact, helping to ensure the safety and welfare of Arlington citizens, as well. If New Orleans had also had a plan for pets, wouldn't there be 44% fewer people left in danger?

China's Canine Crackdown

Rex here, again.

I just heard some disturbing news and am thanking my lucky stars that I don't live in China!

Evidently, rabies is a very big issue in China. Apparently, there were 2,651 reported deaths from rabies in 2004 and 318 have died from it since September. Only around 3% of dogs there are vaccinated against rabies. In response to this issue the Chinese government has cracked down on dogs, yes, dogs -- not vaccinations, owners, or any preventative measures. Their method of handling the situation is to restrict households from owning more than one dog, banning ownership of large dogs, and forbidding owners to take their dogs to public places including parks.

Several citizens have protested the crackdown but the Chinese government is holding strong on the issue. One official admitted that people do have the right to raise dogs but people who do not own dogs should also have the right not to be "harassed" by dogs.

Look, one small dog can contract and spread rabies as easily as two large dogs. Why not make the effort, like we do in the US, to educate people on how to train their dogs and ensure that they are not a threat to others by keeping them on leash and giving them regular rabies vaccinations? Seems like a more mature and far more peacful option than this ban.

I guess the year of the dog isn't such a good year for the dog afterall.

Consider me thankful and proud to be a Canine American!

Virginia Pet Trust Law

Rex here, again. Now, I may be a little late to find out about this now but, you know what they say -- better late than never.

In July, Virginia proudly joined 37 other states with a pet trust statute. This means that Virginia is also a little late to the game, but at least now Virginians can rest assured that their furry friends will be taken care of in case something ever happens to the pet's guardian. Pet owners may now designate a caretaker for their pet(s) and a trustee who ensures that the money is spent on the pet.

Previously, if a pet's guardian passed away and left money in their will to take care of the pet, anyone could contest the provision and the pet could find himself in the shelter -- no cash, no home, no guardian. This statute puts an end to this injustice.

I only find it sad that Virginia is just getting around to this now, but you know what they say, better late than...

No Pet Left Behind?

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, President Bush has signed a bill that will require states to include pets in their evacuation plans in case of a natural disaster, or risk losing federal money.

During Hurricane Katrina the rest of the country watched as so many people were left behind to endure the destruction of what is now considered the *deadliest hurricane in the US in 80 years (*Fritz Institute). It was tragic, and now, I find it even more tragic to know that *44% of those who chose to remain did so because they did not want to leave their pets behind (*Fritz Institute). 44% that could have found safety had rescue agencies allowed them to bring their family pets along during evacuation.

Well, hats off to this administration for taking our furry-friends into consideration! Every pet-friendly family should consider their pets in case of emergency and fortunately the welfare of all loved-ones is finally being considered.

For more information on including your pets in your disaster plans, visit the Humane Society of the United States and American Veterinary Medical Association.

Are They Not All In Need of Rescue?

When reading stories of pets made homeless by horrible tragedies such as the war in Lebanon and the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. It warms my heart that there are people who will go out of their way to make sure that these animals are rescued and that their are people out there who are ready and willing to adopt them and save them from their strife.

I can't help but wonder, though, where these amazing adopters are when there is no disaster. There are so many of dogs, cats, rabbits, etc. waiting everyday for someone to rescue them from the loneliness and shower them with love and the comforts of home. Sure, there are people here and there that are looking for a pet, but still, so many of the homeless animals still wait and wait.