THE DISASTER AREA OF DOG LEGISLATION

1/13/07

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - THE DISASTER AREA OF DOG LEGISLATION.

by Tina M. Perriguey, USA General Education Committee

Timing really is everything.

During the first week in January, Randall Hoadley, Vice-president of USA, and several key USA Committee members were engaged in intense communication involving the threat of Breed-specific Legislation to our sport, our organization and our German Shepherd Dogs. Pursuant to this dialogue, and with the approval of USA President, Lyle Roetemeyer, a proactive agenda for the General Education Committee was approved.



These positive steps signal a campaign to bring the strength of USA’s 5,000 members to this critical fight. In terms of an organized effort, the AWDF, Al Govednik, and the hard-working members of the AWDF Legislative Committee have been doing the “heavy lifting” in this fight for a long time. In kicking off 2007, USA extends them our sincere gratitude, and proof that we realize we’ve all got “skin in the game.”



And just in case any of our members were still willing to sit on the sidelines, Jerry Abramson comes along and raises the stakes.

In the second week of January, Louisville, Kentucky mayor Jerry Abramson signed into law an ordinance that is frightening on two levels. Not only is it draconian, but it doesn’t even bother to mount the pretense of discriminating against only “dangerous dogs.” This NON-breed-specific legislation applies to ALL dogs in Louisville, KY.

This is an ominous precedent, sport fans. Please go to the USA Website for updates on the fight against this and BSL across the nation.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 91-PAGE ORDINANCE...

1. Prong, chain and pinch collars are prohibited. (Yes, you and I know that prong and pinch collars are the same thing. The wording here is an indication of how much research was done before drafting this ordinance).

2. 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 two years.

3. 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.

4. 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.

(Refresh my memory. What country are we living in? Did Communist China take over while we were too busy celebrating New Year’s to notice?)

5. ALL impounded dogs must be spayed/neutered. The Director has discretion to reduce fees/fines if you spay/neuter your animal. The Director cannot waive the requirement to have your impounded animal altered before that animal may be released.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. If you own more than 3 dogs, and you live on less than half an acre, you are in violation of the ordinance. There is no grandfather clause.

10. 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.

11. Breeders who maintain more than one unaltered pet must purchase a $300 animal dealer license as well as a $150 Class A kennel license to sell a litter of dogs. The required licenses allow Louisville Metro Animal Services to inspect the breeder’s premises at any reasonable time.

The Louisville Metro Council decided to draft the ordinance last year after dog attacks in which two people were killed. The provisions, signed by the mayor on January 4, 2007, were approved by the Louisville City Council by a 16-8 vote on December 19th.