I'm a pariah among the dog fanciers in my community. Why? Because I testified in support of a new regulation to limit pet ownership to no more than a total of three dogs and/or cats, older than six-months of age, in one household.
The reason for the age threshold is to give people time to place any puppies or kittens that their family pet has.
Every major dog/pet organization I'm familiar with opposes such regulations or laws. That includes not only the animal rights people but mainstream groups such as the American Kennel Club (AKC).
So why would I break ranks and support it? Reality.
I support limitations on the number of pets in one household for the following reasons.
1. Nuisance laws are difficult and expensive to enforce.
In one instance in my town ? that has laws on nuisance dogs ? the city police had been to a house three times after calls from neighbors. In each instance, the dogs were quiet when they arrived and no ticket was issued.
That's the problem with the type of enforcement other dog-owner groups want. It requires catching the animal/owner in the act. Then both have the right to protest and appeal any fines or other punishments.
How much of a city's budget should go to this type of effort? It is much more cost effective to enforce limits on the number of pets as this can be more readily identified and controlled.
2. The worst pet owners are beyond caring about the law.
They fall into two categories. One is the drug addict, gang members or other criminal who breeds big, dangerous dogs for protection. An example is a homeowner who had 14 Pit Bulls in his metropolitan home.
The other is the disturbed pet collector such as a woman who had 40 cats in her suburban house. She had no recognition of why this should be a problem and was surprised that her neighbors called the police because of the odor from her house.
Neither of these types of pet owners are going to be deterred by a misdemeanor fine.
3. Dogs in packs are difficult to control.
The more dogs in the home, the more problems you have. Initially it may be as the dogs joust among themselves for positions in the pack. Even once that's been settled, outside events ? such as a dog coming back after a hospital stay ? can trigger another round of fighting for position.
There's always a danger the dogs may get lose. Having three or more dogs in one backyard can be intimidating to neighbors and other small pets in the adjoining homes.
A neighboring community has a dog park near a beach and people are often knocked down by packs of dogs. The dogs aren't attacking them; they're just running together and oblivious of their impact when they knock down a little one or older person.
When dogs are in groups, they work together and mob psychology rules. They may attack and kill smaller animals not for food but for sport or territory. Even dogs that live with cats will kill other cats when working in a dog pack outside the home.
4. Dogs in packs are more susceptible to illnesses.
As a former breeder, I truly appreciate how difficult it is to prevent the spread of diseases when you have many dogs in one home or kennel. There's a reason it's called "kennel" cough.
5. Some dog owners have lost perspective
One of the objectors to this new rule participates in a rescue organization. She had six people testifying on her behalf as to how needed her service is (I agree) and how well she manages her household of dogs.
None of the six people, however, live near her. When her neighbors testified, it was another story. She had started her rescue work by telling the homeowners group that she would have no more than six dogs at one time.
In one instance when the police were called to her home after a loose dog attacked a neighbor's pet and discovered she had 23 dogs there. This is just a typical suburban home ? not a rural or country area.
I'm sympathetic to wanting to care for abandoned and mistreated dogs but neighboring home owners have rights as well. If you've paid $600,000 for an 800-sq ft home in California (as our Sunday newspaper stated), you are going to be very concerned about maintaining property values.
Too many dog owners are oblivious to the rights of other people. Just walk in any city park and see how many people don't pick up after their dog.
I love dogs but I wish I could have more confidence in their owners. I recognize that I may be assigning many strays to an early death, but I can't waive a magic wand and make all pet owners responsible owners and care givers.
Limiting the number of pets in a household is a cost effective measure to solving true problems.
Louise Louis is a certified canine specialist and the creator of http://www.toybreeds.com, your online resource to Toy dog breeds.
house refresh service Morton Grove ..My name is Shadrach, and I am a dog -... Read More
Many dog owners are bewildered when they hear their dog... Read More
Dog SupplementsA good nutritional program of dog supplements is just... Read More
You want your dog to swim?We're going to try to... Read More
Electric Dog FencesIs an electric dog fence something for you?... Read More
If there is an art to getting horses to load... Read More
Whether you intend to show your Westie, or keep him... Read More
Whether purely for looks or for a bird's home, bird... Read More
As we find ourselves in the middle of winter, it's... Read More
The performing of dog tricks, while not a necessary part... Read More
Why paint your cat? After all cats are beautiful creatures... Read More
Did you know that there are key health benefits that... Read More
1. What is heat?Heat is more properly called the estrous... Read More
"Where's the harm? My cat seems to enjoy chocolate and... Read More
An essential to your dog's health is his/her regular annual... Read More
As I listen on my long drive to my grandpa's... Read More
How important is a dog name? Well let's think about... Read More
The American Kennel Club recognizes 150 different dog breeds. There... Read More
The 6 Keys To Building A Life Long Partnership With... Read More
* Lock things up that could cause harm* Keep the... Read More
Like most dog owners, you probably take your dog with... Read More
Large dogs and extra large dogs require more thought and... Read More
Author of Keep Fleas OffStill using all the chemicals you... Read More
There are many of us who consider our pets as... Read More
When looking to purchase a purebred dog, you need to... Read More
cleaning service near Mundelein ..Every year, many cat owners decide to get their cat... Read More
Many cat owners believe that their good little kitty would... Read More
Does the idea of trimming your dog's nails send chills... Read More
"Magoo was a big, playful Labrador retriever who often got... Read More
The city I live in just increased its fees for... Read More
Kittens communicate in a very distinct way. Did you know... Read More
In most cases you should not be too concerned about... Read More
As much as you may love your cute, new puppy,... Read More
My love of horses began at the age of 11... Read More
Quieting a barking dog is a quick and easy process.... Read More
A family, including three dogs and a cat live happily... Read More
If you love dogs and you enjoy making money then... Read More
It was November and I had spent 3 months searching... Read More
Over the last 20 years, vaccinations have generally been started... Read More
I'm a dog lover who believes that every dog owners... Read More
Your new living room furniture is in tatters. Your nerves... Read More
Many people ask the question: "Should we get a purebreed... Read More
If you are keeping tetras, chances are you are breeding... Read More
Most of the diseases that threaten goldfish can be cured.... Read More
Clone a Cat, Go To Jail ...or at least... Read More
Okay, so it's not the cleanest or most appealing of... Read More
Yes! We love our wonderful and dear Pooches! We care... Read More
Have you ever thought about what you need to do... Read More
When pondering whether my neurosis is learned or genetic, I... Read More
Pet ContainmentIf you just recently became a pet owner or... Read More
Pet |