ORD-2008-069 - Proposed Animal Ordinance Amendment on the Tethering of Dogs

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recommendations. He said that there was a concerted effort to reach a balance between some opposing views in the community. He said that the original review and discussion referenced exceptions for escape artist dogs and for hunting dogs. The draft includes exceptions for these animals, but ultimately, the Tethering Committee and the ASAB opted to not include those exceptions for three reasons: 1) concerns about the legal issues that might arise by creating exceptions; 2) impact that exceptions might have on the ease of enforcement; and 3) the issue of fairness. Dr. Ross Oglesbee read her prepared statement: As human beings we have free will, self- determination, and the power to control our environment and the environment of all things on this planet. Along with the privilege of being the dominant species, comes a responsibility to respect, not only each other, but all other living things that are on this planet with us and to use our domination responsibly and compassionately. Perhaps we should treat other species of animals as we would wish them to treat us, were they in our dominant position. Dogs are conscious beings. They feel cold, heat, pain, fear, pleasure, and affection. The overwhelming information about this issue is that the quality of life for dogs, and their well- meaning humans, would be improved if tethering was limited or eliminated entirely. You have heard and read a lot about this issue. The Tethering Task Force, which is composed of diverse and knowledgeable individuals from this county, at your behest, have already spent a lot of time, effort, and research into this issue. The Task Force and Animal Services Advisory Board have provided you with their consensus on this matter; they have imparted their knowledge about this issue to you. Knowledge is power. You now have the knowledge to do the right thing with respect to this issue. You know what the right thing is and you have the power to do the right thing. Gandhi said: The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. I will paraphrase that to say that the greatness of this county and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. Hippocrates said: I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. The soul is in all living creatures, although the body of each is different. And finally, from George Bernard Shaw: The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them, that is the essence of inhumanity. Please don't be indifferent to the quality of a dog's life; don't be indifferent to the information you have received; act on the knowledge you have. The Tethering Committee did what it was charged to do and drafted a sound, reasonable, and fair proposal. Now, with the power you have, do the right thing; vote tonight to approve the tethering amendment. Thank you. Commissioner Carey commended the ASAB and the Tethering Committee on their hard work on this emotional issue. He said that the Board of County Commissioners has not had a chance to discuss this item as a Board yet. He said that the public all wants the same thing — humane treatment of animals. He does have concerns about the size of the pen that is proposed in this ordinance and he wants to discuss this. He said that the Board needs to talk about a three -hour limit of tethering and he is not ready to make a decision on this item tonight. Commissioner Nelson said that the last public comment session was about an hour long and there are 60 + signed up to speak tonight. He said that when this is brought back, it will be for Board of County Commissioners' discussion only. The Board needs to be able to discuss this.