Bad pet owners could face year in jail
Edit By:How To Pet
Q:Copied this from the Toronto Sun
DeerClan
OFFICIALS IN an Arkansas city are considering fining pet owners up to $1,000 US and jailing them for a year if they fail to pick up their stray dogs or cats after six days -- the same penalties as someone convicted of negligent homicide. While the city says the suggested ordinance tracks with state law, pet owners say it is excessive.
"I think jail time may be a little severe. What if you're on vacation and someone else is taking care of your dog when it leaves?" dog owner Kathy Jones said.
Under the ordinance, pet owners could be cited for animal abandonment on the seventh day of impoundment.
James Willett, director of code enforcement for the city, said the proposed ordinance mirrors the state's law against cruelty to animals regarding animal abandonment. He said fines would likely be lower.
"The judge is going to make the determining factor; nothing is set in stone. It's like shoplifting or driving while intoxicated. People who get DWIs get less than the maximum fine," Willett said.
DeerClan
OFFICIALS IN an Arkansas city are considering fining pet owners up to $1,000 US and jailing them for a year if they fail to pick up their stray dogs or cats after six days -- the same penalties as someone convicted of negligent homicide. While the city says the suggested ordinance tracks with state law, pet owners say it is excessive.
"I think jail time may be a little severe. What if you're on vacation and someone else is taking care of your dog when it leaves?" dog owner Kathy Jones said.
Under the ordinance, pet owners could be cited for animal abandonment on the seventh day of impoundment.
James Willett, director of code enforcement for the city, said the proposed ordinance mirrors the state's law against cruelty to animals regarding animal abandonment. He said fines would likely be lower.
"The judge is going to make the determining factor; nothing is set in stone. It's like shoplifting or driving while intoxicated. People who get DWIs get less than the maximum fine," Willett said.
A:This would be a great law to have passed for lousy pet owners.
A:"Could be sited" is the key here. Extenuating circumstances, I'm sure, would be taken into consideration if the pet owner was away and someone else taking care of the pet. But it does give a means to go after those abusers that flaunt their irresponsibility repeatedly.
A:I Love It.......................
A:It's about time. Hopefully the money will go directly to these shelters that houses and feeds them. Hopefully people will start to think about what it truly means to be a pet owner, not dropping them off out of nowhere. Pets are not disposable like garbage.
A:Now, if only they'd up the penalties for those that abuse animals!