More on dog chaining

One of the speakers at the Durham County Commissioners public hearing on Monday read into the record a letter from the New Hanover County Director of Animal Control. NHC has had an anti-tethering ordinance for some years, now. Her letter addresses, in a fairly calm manner, some of the hysteria being raised by so-called responsible tetherers. You know, the ones who think that tethering is a good idea because the tether will sweep the dog shit out of the way. I spoke with Ms. McNeil, and she gave me permission to reprint her letter to the County Commissioners. Here it is:

I am writing this letter in support of your county passing an anti-tethering ordinance for the protection of your community's companion animals. New Hanover County has had the privilege of such a law for many years, and our residents enjoy the safety it affords our pets. Animal cruelty is a serious matter, and we must do all we know to do to keep it from happening in whatever manner we are able.

Many would argue that you should merely enforce the laws that you already have; however, in our experience, you cannot enforce what you do not have. The majority of offenders will not comply with suggestions, so adequate enforceable laws are necessary to cause compliance. Anti-tethering is a step in the right direction to enhance responsible pet ownership.

Having a pet entails great responsibility, so we must be pro-active in educating owners about the best care they can provide. We passed the ordinance many years ago, but did not write actual citation until quite some time after the law became effective. We issued warning notices, which gave the dog owner time to make corrections. This is not nearly as effective as simply writing the citation. In our experience, an owner will comply more rapidly, if there are consequences for failure to do so. We have the administrative ability to void a citation, if they correct the problem in a timely manner. Again, this would not be possible, if no law was on the books to enforce. Our residents have responded favorably to having a means of preventing animal cruelty in at least one form.

Prior to passing the ordinance, we saw many cases of dogs being left on short leads or ropes for many hours ‚ or permanently‚ at the household. Many individuals lost their pets due to strangulation, heat stroke, and in some severe case the owner's intentional animal abuse of starvation. We had no means of preventing this abuse until the law was enforceable.

The ordinance was challenged in April 2007. We had a group of Pit Bull owners, who desired to tether their dogs with heavy chains connected to tire axles. Fortunately, our advisory committee, board of health, and county commissioners saw through these individuals and upheld the law. We are grateful. We are also in high hopes that you will also act as responsibly for your community pets as we have in New Hanover County. The majority of your residents are counting on you to do the right thing, despite the very vocal minority that opposes the law.

I've been traveling all day, and i'm not really up for blogging too much till the morning. I just want to say, to the folks who think that animal abuse is sanctioned by God in the Old Testament, i hope you don't eat any pork or shrimp. Because God has a special place in hell waiting for you.