Action alert - MSN in Dallas!

Is there a link to this ordinance so that we can read it ourselves before making our own decision if to support it or oppose it.

No, because it's not online. You can call your council member or Animal Services and get more info.

If it's not on the internet, then maybe someone in Dallas can scan a copy of the relevent sections of the proposed as new or amended ordinances, and then post that for us to read.
 
From what I know of councils, I think that residents must have easy access to reading any proposed as new or amended ordinances, and that residents have ample notification where they can attend some council meetings to listen too and even have a chance to voice their opinions or concerns at council meetings.

Before we write, phone or email all city officials at Dallas I think it maybe best that we at the least read the actual proposed as new or amended ordinances.
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Here's a report in the Dallas Morning News about the proposed ordinance changes.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/pets/stories/011708dnmetanimalcontrol.218a773.html

Also, for what it's worth, we have a law that states that if a dog bites someone hard enough to require hospital care, the owner of said dog can be criminally liable.

ETA:

Here's the city's page for animal ordinances as they exist now.

http://dallascityhall.com/code_compliance/Animal_Services.html

Even if more stringent laws were passed, how can they enforce them? All they can do, even now is pick up strays. There is not enough manpower to police every house in city of so many people. And stopping gang activity should be more important than busting the neighbor that has 5 dogs or whatever. And whatever current problems there are exist in spite of laws already in place. Texas has a domestic animal statute. Any and all domestic animals must be contained. Peopl ignore that. Dallas has a leash law. People ignore that. Many people do not register their pets so requiring a breeder's license won't help that.

Out here in the sticks, people let their dogs run loose and the police ignore that. Including one neighbor who is a sheriff's deputy in the next county. Sometimes, it's his dog that is running loose, though not as often as before.

ETA II:

There is a pdf on the proposed rule changes in the food ordinance, but non for pet dogs. Which means it probably hasn't been published yet. Which means that one or two people want to adopt changes similar to San Antonio but no one has drafted an official paper to put before the council, or will want to challenge the council to come up with a list, that will probably be drafted by a city attorney.

Law abiding citizens already follow the rules. Those who don't will not follow even more rules. This has the effect of further penalizing law abiding citizens and does nothing to solve the problems. It's the same thing as outlawing a certain type of gun (take your choice). Law abiding citizens will not buy the proscribed guns. Criminals will get even more guns on the black market. And gang violence goes on unabated.

Targeted illegal breeders will simply move operations to outside the city limit to say, Kleburg or Wilmer or (pick your choice of small town still located in Dallas County). And people will still buy from them directly, or in pet stores who can be supplied by anyone, from Kleburg, Texas to somewhere in Missouri or Pennsylvania. Those people aren't bound by the rules of Dallas and any store can import items.

And how do you enforce it? There are qualifications to being a police officer or an animal control officer and we shouldn't lower requirements just to fill out warm bodies. And the city would rather spend money on Jerry Jones next playground (the new Cowboy stadium) than on city services.

And judging from what I have seen in the last 15 years, Jones will win out on the attention meter.

Sounds like the place is in real trouble and in a big mess, it maybe better living in a 3rd world country.

Quincy

Sounds like the place is in real trouble and in a big mess, it maybe better living in a 3rd world country.

 

Okay....?

 
That's actually very highly laughable. 

 
Anyways, thanks for the news.  That's way too close to home.
 

Latest information I have seen.

 

TX-RPOA E-News

From Responsible Pet Owners Alliance

Permission granted to crosspost.

March 29, 2008

Update on Dallas, TX, animal ordinance Code Compliance will be briefing Dallas City Council on the proposed Chapter 7 Animal Ordinance Revisions Wednesday, April 2, 2008. There will NOT be a vote Wednesday. The proposal will then go to the Quality of Life Committee on April 28th before coming back to the full council for a vote. We will keep you informed.

The proposed Chapter 7 Animal Ordinance Revisions include:

* Mandatory Spay/Neuter of dogs and cats over 4 months of age unless the owner has a Breeder Permit which is very restrictive.

* $500 Breeder Permit required each year per animal and only issued for nationally registered dogs and cats whose owner belongs to a purebred dog or cat club with a code of ethics restricting breeding dogs and cats with genetic defects and life threatening health problems. All must be approved by the director of Animal Services. This means the extinction of mixed breed dogs.

* Ban on tethering dogs unless owner is present.

* Confinement requirements of 150 feet pen size per dog.

* Foster Care Providers must apply for a permit to keep up to 10 dogs, cats or any combination which has special requirements that must be met.

This is a national "animal rights" legislative agenda to end all breeding of pets and is not written as a solution to Dallas animal problems. Having been proven failures 15 years ago, we now have a new wave of these anti-pet ordinances. Let's hope Dallas City Council realizes that no breeding means no pets! "Permits" are not issued automatically as are "pet licenses" and for a reason. A "Permit" means that the owner gives permission to Dallas Animal Services to enter their premises at any time without a search warrant. The Permit information is available to anyone upon request under the Open Records Act.

In 1993 Margaret A. Cleek, Ph.D, Beverly Cain and Sherry Guldager, M.D. wrote: "If someone has vowed to eliminate you, would you agree to pay a fee to obtain a permit, so they can more easily identify you?" They also wrote: "If someone burst into your home with a shot gun, and swore to kill you, would you consider it a really good day if you talked them into shooting your right leg off instead?" No compromise! This is bad legislation that must be defeated.

To contact Dallas city officials to oppose these ordinance revisions, go to our website for more information: www.responsiblepetowners.org and click on the yellow blinking "Action Alert" button on the home page. Dallas animal owners need your help. First San Antonio, now Dallas. Who's next?

This also means the (local) extinction of a number of rare breeds for whom breed clubs do not yet exist- the German Spitz among them.