Posted on 02/12/2004 5:52:44 AM PST by yankeedame
Olmsted Falls passes law requiring waterproof protection for pooches
02/11/04
Donna Iacoboni
Plain Dealer Reporter
Olmsted Falls, Ohio: Dogs had their day here Tuesday, when City Council approved a one-of-kind doghouse law before a standing-room-only crowd of people.
The law, which will take effect within 10 days, requires dog owners to provide waterproof doghouses lined with bedding that resists dampness and equipped with self-closing doors or flaps.
An earlier provision that required dog owners to bring their pooches inside if the temperature dips below 20 degrees was removed from the final law. Violators can lose their dogs and face 90 days in jail.
Council's unanimous vote came after residents mixed it up with outsiders, professed dog lovers all, each with a different opinion on what is best for seasonal canine comfort.
Mayor Robert Blomquist sat behind a 10-inch pile of letters, mostly in support of the law.
A flood of e-mails compromised City Hall's computers Tuesday, causing two mayoral memos to disappear. The mayor limited public comments to two minutes each; nine people spoke. The crowd remained polite until one man stated that birds survive the winter, and so could dogs.
Explaining why he supported the law, Councilman Joseph Vitale noted that he loves his beagle, but more importantly, "There are more laws on the books about how to hunt animals than how to take care of them."
The law was sparked by a local woman who was leaving her golden retriever tied up outside because of her child's allergy. Neighbors repeatedly called police out of concern for the dog.
Then a Strongsville woman took the dog out of the Olmsted Falls yard. Carol Brady-Henderson has been charged with felony theft. The dog has been returned to its family, and it now has a doghouse, straw and a heated water bowl. Brady-Henderson attended the meeting Tuesday to speak in favor of the law.
A woman who raises Siberian huskies said the law was too broad, that rules that apply to a whippet would not apply to a husky.
Barbara Palmer, a Berea member of the Siberian Husky Club, said that huskies would rather lie on top of their doghouses covered in snow.
The law passed by "emergency" measure, meaning it will become law immediately and residents won't be able to rescind it with a voter referendum. Blomquist promised Tuesday night that he will not veto it.
It gives police the authority to confiscate any dog and charge dog owners with second-degree misdemeanors. Violations carry a maximum $700 fine and 90 days in jail.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
diacoboni@plaind.com, 216-999-4852
Somebody get this to my wife ... I always end up out in the back seat of the car.
(Guess I'll move to the Buckeye for fair treatment.)
Hey, city council morons, have you read your existing state laws concerning companion animals lately? I like this part:
No person who confines or who is the custodian or caretaker of a companion animal shall negligently do any of the following: ... confine the companion animal without affording it, during the impoundment or confinement, with access to shelter from heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, or excessive direct sunlight...I think this covers what they want in a doghouse. As usual, a new law is just pure posturing, making it look like the politicians are earning their paychecks.
OTOH, I wish they had that state law in my state, because I know of a dog that's kept outside 24/7/365, even in rain/sleet/snow/ice/hurricane, with a doghouse so small he can't fit in it so he just tries to huddle up next to the house.
I missed that part. I guess somebody finally realized that 20 degrees is nice and toasty for some breeds.
Either care for an animal properly, or kill it cleanly.
There is no room for scumbags who do something else.
So9
Some dogs may not get the proper diet or have their teeth cleaned enough. The council should look into this.
Perhaps a mandatory class for all dog owners, before licensing. Increase the license fees to cover the cost of the class.
Some dogs may not get the proper diet or have their teeth cleaned enough. The council should look into this.
Perhaps a mandatory class for all dog owners, before licensing. Increase the license fees to cover the cost of the class
And don't forget the three day waiting period before getting a dog (or puppy).
A woman? Please explain. I thought the article was about a dog.
With all the deep problems of the world, these morons couldn't rely instead on people to think and do for themselves?
If you read the article, a person did do what was right and removed the dog...she was charged with felony theft. It's common sense -- if you own an animal, take care of the darn thing!
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