[ SHOWGSD-L ] FW: CA: Pet owners become 'guardians'

  • From: "Ginger Cleary" <cleary1414@xxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: "Showgsd-L@Freelists. Org" <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2006 00:51:56 -0400

-----Original Message-----
From: pet-law@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:pet-law@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of
Sue Cone
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 6:13 PM
Subject: CA: Pet owners become 'guardians'

http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=2758

Pet owners become 'guardians'

In an effort to encourage greater care of companion animals, the Santa
Clara County Board of Supervisors today added "guardian" to the term
"animal owner."

The amendment passed 3-2 with Supervisors Liz Kniss and Donald Gage
voting against the motion after Stanford University Assistant Vice
President and Director of Community Relations Jean McCown requested a
continuance to review the proposal's legal ramifications for Stanford's
biomedical research activities.

The new county ordinance, which classifies a pet owner as an "animal
owner/guardian," passed nearly two months after the Animal Advisory
Commission introduced its recommendation to the board, hoping that the
term guardian would elicit responsible treatment of pets and reduce the
number of abused, neglected and abandoned animals.

"Language can make such a powerful impact," Animal Advisory Commission
member Lorna Pusateri said today, noting how racial perceptions have
changed following the public and legal denunciation of racist and
hateful language. "... We lose nothing, but gain so much, by simply
adding the word guardian."

"I don't think the word guardian is going to make anyone treat their
animals better," Gage, who owns several pets himself, said today, noting
that therefore it couldn't hurt to accede to McCown's request.

Kniss, while stressing the importance of humane treatment of animals,
also voiced some concern about the addition's potential implication for
animal research in the future.

Supervisor Pete McHugh, however, said he trusted County Counsel Ann
Ravel's conclusion that the amendment would not change the legal status
of animals as property.

"Adding the word guardian does not impact anything, it just emphasizes
that there is a moral obligation for people to care for their animals,"
McHugh said today.

Veterinarian Elliot Katz told the board today that cities and counties
across the nation are pursuing similar changes in efforts to teach
children compassion and respect for animals.

Animal Advisory Commission member Judy Jones said today that subtle
changes, such as adding the term guardian, could influence how people
think about pets and encourage the public to consider animals as beings
with feelings and needs of their own.

As a result of changed attitudes, animal advocates hope to see fewer
strays and more spayed and neutered dogs and cats.
 ====================================


Now, aren't you just thrilled?  You no longer own your animals in Santa
Clara...

Ginger Cleary, Rome, GA
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the
most oppressive. C.S.Lewis

www.rihadin.com

My Ebay site



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