Basic Laws for Dog Owners •Rabies. Proof of inoculation is required by most states or municipalities. •Spay/neuter. More and more localities require that all animals adopted from shelters be sterilized. If the animal is too young or is medically unable to undergo this surgery at the time of adoption, the law can require that the owner leave a deposit until the pet is fixed. Some localities charge a higher licensing fee if the animal is not sterilized. Reasoning goes that only breeders would have reason not to sterilize their dogs, and that they are willing to pay extra for the privilege. These fees often go into a spay/neuter fund for indigent animals. In a few states, dog or cat vanity license plates finance such programs. •Chaining. Tethering or limiting the movement of dogs is considered inhumane. In fact, chained dogs are more likely to bite humans and other pets and are unable to defend themselves or flee if attacked. Many communities restrict the length of time a dog can be chained and forbid certain methods of restraint. •Shelters. State or local laws specify the minimum amount of time a dog must be held by an animal control shelter before he is considered without an owner. When the period is up, the shelter has the right to put the dog up for adoption or euthanize him. In areas where there is limited shelter capacity, the period may be as little as 48 hours. •Breed bans. From time to time, local legislatures pass laws banning a specific breed - such as pit bulls - which they label as "dangerous." Others require owners of a "dangerous" breed to carry a certain amount of liability insurance on the dog. Such laws are not effective, because individual dogs - not entire breeds - can be bred or trained to be dangerous. Also, history shows that when one breed is banned as "dangerous," people who want an aggressive dog simply raise and train another breed to take its place. •Identification. In some states, shelters are now required to scan for a microchip I.D. when the dog arrives. •Aid to suffering animals. In many states, it is against the law for a passer-by not to call authorities or offer aid to an injured or suffering animal.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 20:11:59 +0000
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