COM 0022.015 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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exceptions that evidence a lack of intent on the part of the dog. 5. Section 4-4. Power to seize and impound dogs, cats, and small domesticated animals This section empowers an enforcement officer to seize any "stray." One of the definitions of "stray" is 4-I (v)(1) "an unlicensed dog or dog without a license for the current yeaz." The definition would seem to mean that an enforcement officer can seize any dog found without a current license, whether on the property of its family or not. The law does not seem intended to be that broadly written. Note: The problem is highlighted by the heading of Section 4-20(b) "Seizure of Licensed Stray Dogs" as repeated in subsection "any licensed stray doe." (emphasis added) The definition of"stray" specifically excludes currently licensed dogs. 6. Section 4-12 Fees. (a) Raising the fees for licenses is a big mistake. We already face the situation where people lack the funds to spay and neuter. If the fees for licenses are raised, people will just stop getting licenses. If the purpose of the law is to protect the animals as well as people, the tags are one means of helping animals find their way back home. The securing of such a tag should be made as easy as possible. We currently request a donation of $60 for a dog adoption. We spay and neuter, provide medical check ups and vaccinations, and secure a tag for the animal before adoption. These services cost far more than the adoption donation. At the same time, the donation helps to defray the costs and demonstrate some financial capacity on the part of the adopting family. To increase the tag from $2 to $10 reduces the amount of the donation available to operate the Sanctuary by the amount of the increase. 7. Section 4-12 Fees (c) Rather than have the money received for licenses go into the general fund, we suggest such monies be placed in a dedicated fund to help people pay for spay and neuter. Every report and organization involved in this field has concluded that only a major spay and neuter program can truly address the abundance of homeless animals. Using fees generated under this law to reduce the animal population would contribute to that long term solution. 8. Section 4-16 Duty upon striking animals, including dogs and cats. We are very supportive of people taking action when they strike a dog or cat that might save the life of the animal. Subsection (b), however, is perhaps too vague to be enforceable. The requirement to "[h]ave the animal's owner located" does not provide sufficient detail to know what actions fulfill that responsibility, i.e. asking at nearby houses, taking a tag number of tracing the owner, etc. We are also concerned about whether our Sanctuary falls within the definition of "animal care center." We are an incorporated, non-profit organization that provides homes for homeless animals and seeks to adopt them out. One of our goals is certainly to prevent