VOTE on Wednesday--HOWL Now!!
The City of Houston will VOTE on Wednesday, March 26, 2104 on the Animal Ordinance revisions. One revision, Sec. 6-102b, would allow the government to OWN your dog after a brief impoundment.
Please let your Howls Be Heard! And, if you can, you are welcome to speak at City Council on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at 2:00 during Public Comments. See below.
For the first time in the history of Houston, the City is considering adding language to their ordinances that “title and sole ownership of the dog transfers to BARC, the dog becomes the sole property of BARC, and becomes subject to disposition as BARC deems appropriate.” Section 6-102(b).
The City is trying to OWN your dog if it is lost and you don't show up in 72 hours (no tag) or 6 days (with a tag) to reclaim your dog.
You could be on a short vacation and return to find out the vet who was boarding your dog accidentally lost it and now you don't even own your dog anymore. This law would apply to any pet professional who has your dog--vet, kennel, dog sitter, doggy daycare, dog walker or a groomer. No exceptions!
The issue is not the length of the hold period but the fact that the City is attempting to own your property, your beloved dog, after a measly few days. Currently, the City has a 30 day grace period for owners to reclaim dogs after the impoundment period.
Please let your barks & howls be heard! **
Speaking at City Council. If you would like to speak at City Council, they will be considering Public Comments on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at 2:00 pm. You must sign up ahead of time. Sign up to speak for Tuesday Public Session by calling the City Secretary’s office at 832.393.1100, sending an email to: citysecretary@houstontx.gov
Writing emails/faxes to City Council: Send Emails & Faxes (make sure your letter or email always has a subject line stating your position).
Dear Hon. Houston City Council:
RE: Say NO to Houston Owning our Dogs: Oppose(Sec. 6-102b)
I am opposed to Section 6-102b of the proposed Animal Ordinances. Houston should not try to own our lost dogs after a short impoundment and should keep the 30 day grace period now in effect.
ADD Talking Points (see below) but personalize your letter. Let the City know of experiences you have had or know about with lost dogs and the difficulty in finding them.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Your Name & Address
Talking Points to consider for your emails & faxes (addresses and numbers below):
--The City cannot "own" our dogs by changing an ordinance. Citizens have property rights and are owed due process.
--The City has never tried to own or dogs before and should not now.
--Dogs are family members and this law hurts good owners who are trying to get their family member back, not bad owners who don't bother to look for their dogs.
--Harris County has 35 cities and over 4 million residents. Every city has responsibility for animal control that makes finding a dog very hard.
--There is not one central location or website for lost dogs. Animal control takes in lost dogs but so do rescue groups, other shelters, and Good Samaritans.
--Finding a lost dog can be a real challenge and losing a dog can happen to anyone including kennels, veterinarians, doggy daycare, pet sitters, groomers and dog walkers. It happens.
--This proposed law will affect the good owners who are desperately trying to find their dog, not bad owners who do not search for their dog or even care.
-- In 2013, 99.5% of stray dogs at BARC were not claimed by an owner. It is unusual that a rescue has an owner show up to claim a dog they get from animal control, but our legal system provides Justice for All, not just those for whom it is convenient.
--BARC includes the 30 day grace period in their Adoption Contract, so people know that an owner might show up but also know it most likely wont' happen.
-- Even people who adopt human babies may enter an agreement that the biological parents have up to 60 days to change their minds.
The Houston City Council is voting on this issue on Wednesday, March 26, 2014!!
Please let the Houston City Council know that you OPPOSE SEC. 6-106b THAT WOULD ALLOW THE CITY TO TAKE AWAY YOUR DOG. Email and Fax because the vote is on Wednesday, March 26, 2014. Email and Fax often! Email addresses and fax numbers are provided below.
Houston City Council Emails:
districtk@houstontx.gov; districtj@houstontx.gov; districti@houstontx.gov; districtb@houstontx.gov; districth@houstontx.gov; districtf@houstontx.gov; districte@houstontx.gov; districta@houstontx.gov; districtc@houstontx.gov; districtd@houstontx.gov; districtg@houstontx.gov; atlarge1@houstontx.gov; atlarge2@houstontx.gov; atlarge3@houstontx.gov; atlarge4@houstontx.gov; atlarge5@houstontx.gov; mayor@houstontx.gov; scheduling@houstontx.gov
Houston City Council Faxes:
832 393 3336, 832 393 3302, 832 393 3291, 832.393.3224, 832.393.3313, 832.393.3302, 832.393.3279, 832.395.9571, 832.395.9426, 832.395.9423, 832.395.9410, 832.393.3251, 832.393.3327
[Full Article about Sargent & Monte, dogs that a rescue refuse to give back to their owners:(http://texasdoglawyer.com/2014/03/sargent-monte-rescue-v-owners/)
