-----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 ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2006. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - URL temporarily deleted due to AOL issues ============================================================================