New California Law

[darci]

California will become the first state to strictly ban long-term chaining of dogs when a new law goes into effect Monday. SB1578, authored by Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, prohibits tethering, fastening, chaining or tying a dog to a stationary object for longer than three hours.

The bill, signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in September, was sponsored by the CA Animal
Association, a coalition of 15 national, state and local animal protection groups.

"This is a precedent-setting animal protection and public safety measure," said Pam Runquist, a CAA representative and director of companion animal issues for the Davis based Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights. "This law has the power to protect dogs throughout the state from enduring boredom, misery, injury and even death at the end of a chain. It also has the potential to significantly reduce the number of dog attacks in CA communities since chained dogs are three times more likely to bite than unchained dogs."

In a news release, Runquist noted that the bill received support from the CA Animal Control Directors Association. A survey of animal control agencies found that citizens make hundreds of calls every month about dogs that are chained long-term.

SB1578 allows persons to tether their dogs during temporary tasks, up to a three-hour time limit. The law allows for longer tethering of dogs at parks and recreation areas, during activities licensed by the state that involve the use of a dog, and during agricultural operations for safety reasons. The use of a pulley or trolley system also is allowed.

The new law provides for penalties of up to $1,000 and six months in jail. However, animal control officers can issue a correction warning if the health and safety of the dog is not at stake. Under current law, animal control officers cannot step in to save these animals unless there are other obvious signs of neglect, such as lack of food, water or shelter.

[Chip's Mom]

If the law is the way that it reads, it sounds like it will be very beneficial to the animals. I hate to see dogs on chains all the time. It will also help against inbedded collars.

[glencorgi]

On the surface it the bill appears fairly sound. Two flags:

1) ""This is a precedent-setting animal protection and public safety measure," said Pam Runquist, a CAA representative and director of companion animal issues for the Davis based Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights."

Anytime animal rights is included that is a big red herring.

And 2 is one that is enough to make one go huh? hmmmm?
"In a news release, Runquist noted that the bill received support from the CA Animal Control Directors Association. A survey of animal control agencies found that citizens make hundreds of calls every month about dogs that are chained long-term."

There are how many million people in CA who own dogs and AC's only get hundreds of calls a month about tethered dogs???? Now seriously, is this so large a problem proportionately that it called for a state wide law??? I have no doubts that local laws on the books were/are more than adequate (CA has an infinite amount of animal/pet laws) to deal with any abuse or neglect cases. Just makes one wonder.

Debbie

[Michael Romanos]

I like this law - it forces dog owners to either have their dogs inside their home (or a shed, garage etc) or provide a fenced, dog escape proof property. Mind you a dog in a dark and dingy shed or garage etc for hours on end is not good either.
I once complained to the SPCA that a dog was 'chained' up with no kennel and no water bowl on a property and the SPCA wanted me to go onto this property and measure the length of the rope before they would act. Me tresspass, confront a strange dog in strained circumstances, and measure out the rope he was tied to - not likely.