[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: TX: El Paso Times critiques Title 7 Revisions
- From: RihadinK9@xxxxxxx
- To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 17 Dec 2005 21:34:21 EST
December 17, 2005
Please email Charlie Edgren at the El Paso Times to express your
appreciation for his insightful analysis of this oppressive, unenforceable
legislation recently passed in El Paso, Texas. It may be "playing" in your
city next.
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http://www.elpasotimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2005512170306
Title 7 falls far short of what pets need
Charlie Edgren
El Paso Times
Saturday, December 17, 2005
City Council's passage this week of a new animal control ordinance was a
feeble gesture in the right direction, but little more than that.
And it probably created more problems than it solved.
City Reps. Lozano and Holguin (of the Eddie variety) were right to vote
against Title 7, parts of which are going to muddy the situation rather than
clarify it and create a whole lot of bad feelings.
Of particular concern is Title 7.04.030.B: "For the purpose of discharging
the duties imposed by this Title and to enforce its provisions, any Officer is
empowered at all reasonable times and upon presentation of appropriate
credentials, to enter any premises upon which an animal is kept or harbored
and to
demand the exhibition, by the owner of a dog or cat, of the certificate of
vaccination, verification of microchip and, and certificate of registration
for such dog or cat.
" ... No Officer shall, however, enter a private residence for purposes of
making an inspection under this chapter without first receiving permission
from a lawful adult occupant of such residence or being authorized to inspect
such residence by a magistrate or by order of a court of competent
jurisdiction
upon showing of a probably violation of this Title."
What's next, Sanitation Department officials coming around and demanding to
inspect my wastebaskets?
Giving such specific invasive authority to people in a historically
inefficient, people-unfriendly agency such as Animal Control doesn't seem
like a prudent move.
What needs to happen is a top-to-bottom restructuring of the department and
a whole lot better training before personnel are turned loose on
neighborhoods to canvass.
Canvassing -- a politically correct term for bothering people in their
homes. Title 7 limits these little social calls to "reasonable times." OK, who
defines "reasonable times?" The best time to catch people at home is during
the
dinner hour. That may be reasonable for the AC types, but what about the
residents? I for one will not look favorably on some Animal Control yahoo who
wants to check my dogs' tags while I have a mouthful of meatloaf and am
watching
"Walker: Texas Ranger" kick the bejeebers out of bothersome people.
And think of the expense when a bunch of irate people quite correctly start
demanding court orders for these home invasions.
Part of the canvassing also supposedly includes "education."
"Sir or madam, I'm here this evening to educate you about the wonders of
microchipping, or vaccinations, or registration, or spaying and neutering, or
whatever."
Fine. Educate me through an insert in my water or gas bill. Everyone else
does. Call a neighborhood meeting. Put public-service announcements on TV and
radio. Put up billboards. Go out and give talks in schools, churches, service
clubs, etc.
Just don't -- DO NOT -- bother me at home on my own time.
Why is canvassing necessary? Shouldn't all the
microchip/vaccination/registration information be on a database? If it
isn't, why not?
How will the neighborhoods be picked for canvassing? Will the poor areas be
targeted because people there are less likely to be able to afford the love
and companionship of a pet, the warmth and joy of a dog or cat, because of
onerous fees?
We hear too many stories about Animal Control not responding to calls, that
there aren't enough personnel to keep up with business. So, where is Animal
Control suddenly going to get enough people to canvass neighborhoods?
Microchipping is great.
Title 7 isn't even close.
Charlie Edgren is editorial page editor for the El Paso Times. E-mail him at
_cedgren@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (mailto:cedgren@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Ginger Cleary, Rome, GA
a rumor flies around the world while the truth is still putting it's shoes
on..
_http://www.rihadin.com_ (http://www.rihadin.com/)
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