Outdoor Ranger returned after two-day dog-napping

Cleveland.com ^ | 1/22/04 | Joe Nowak

[Darnright]

OLMSTED FALLS _ Ranger, a golden retriever living outside his owner's residence, has sparked a heated debate this month among local residents who say the animal should be kept inside.

But now the pooch could be sending a Strongsville woman to prison because she is accused of stealing the dog on Jan. 15.

Carol Brady-Henderson, a Grosse Point Oval resident, faces two fifth-degree felony charges, theft and breaking and entering, along with a first-degree misdemeanor of conspiracy.

The felonies each carry a possible one-year prison term, and the conspiracy charge is defined as two or more people were involved in coordinating a crime.

Police said Monday that Brady-Henderson went to Kim Hornyak's Brookside Drive residence and took Ranger after seeing several stories about the dog aired on local television news stations.

Brady-Henderson had the animal just over two days before officers showed up at her residence.

She had no intentions of turning herself in, and she absolutely was not remorseful, said Detective Alex Bakos, who interviewed Brady-Henderson for four hours before her husband returned Ranger to police.

At the police station, Hornyak and her daughter were reunited with their dog.

When they came in, it was definitely a family reunion. The dog was clearly happy to see them, Bakos said.

Over the last several weeks, Hornyak's neighbors have claimed Ranger is being neglected because he has lived outside since November.

However, a visit from the Animal Protective League on Jan. 9 showed no violations, and Bakos added that he felt the dog was being treated well.

I've never seen a happier or healthier dog, he said.

Hornyak said she had to move Ranger outside because one of her daughters became allergic to him, and she told City Council members on Jan. 13 that the animal has an insulated dog house and a heated water dish.

City leaders still are proposing adopting stricter regulations designed to protect pets whose owners make them stay outside during the winter months.

The legislation states that once the temperature drops below 20 degrees, any companion animal, as defined by state law, must be brought indoors, unless provided with sufficient protection from the elements.

Council President Bev Smith said Monday that the legislation was not proposed as a reaction to the incidents involving Ranger.

This is one of those common sense things you shouldn't have to tell people, but the legislation is not just targeted toward one individual, Smith said.

What we're trying to do is get something that's enforceable, but not dictatorial, and without the imposition on the values of individuals who have animals. People's passion cannot substitute for equal protection of the law.

Any animal owner violating the ordinance would be guilty of a second-degree misdemeanor. Police officers also would have the discretion to warn officers of any violations, and they have 24 hours to correct them.

Police could remove the animal from a residence until the violations have been taken care of or housing issues resolved, as well.

The legislation was scheduled to be discussed earlier this week at the city's safety committee meeting. It could be adopted on Tuesday, when the Falls Council next meets.

© 2004 Sun Newspapers.

[Darnright]

This story highlights a totally illogical law passed when some busybody noticed a Golden Retriever housed outside (with heated water bowl and insulated doghouse). There is now law, making it a crime, if you don't immediately take your dog/cat inside when the temperature in Ohio goes below 20 degrees F.

NO provision is made to take Rover out for a potty break, or heaven forbid, a run with his master. NO provision is made to distinguish a Siberian Husky from a Mexican Hairless.

[mylife]

This is the second case of this I've seen this winter in Ohio

[Bikers4Bush]

"City leaders still are proposing adopting stricter regulations designed to protect pets whose owners make them stay outside during the winter months.

The legislation states that once the temperature drops below 20 degrees, any companion animal, as defined by state law, must be brought indoors, unless provided with
sufficient protection from the elements."

It's actually a city law not state but I agree with your sentiment.

[Darnright]

I'm not against illogical laws, but I know husky type dogs that beg to go out in cold weather. Of course dogs or cats need shelter. However, the law, as written, could be a real nightmare.

The only thing I like about Lyndon Johnson is his quote, "You do not examine legislation in light of the benefits it will convey if properly administered, but in light of the wrongs it would do and the harms it would cause if improperly administered."

[Moose4]

Stupid, stupid, stupid. As long as that dog has a good doghouse for shelter, food and fresh water, there's NOTHING wrong with him being outside unless you're talking about truly horrible weather conditions.

}:-)4

[Okies love Dubya 2]

When my brother was 13, my mom and stepfather decided to let him have a dog. He picked one out (a German Sheperd/Collie mix) and they started the adoption process through the Humane Society.

When my stepfather went to the Humane society, they told him they wouldn't let him have the puppy because we were going to keep her outside. Mind you, we lived on 57 acres in central Indiana and this dog was going to be well taken care of. My stepfather said that if the weather got too extreme, she would be brought into the garage or barn out of the elements. No, they said, we want our dogs to be kept inside, even if they are 100+ pound St. Bernards. Well, since my brother was sitting at home waiting for his puppy, my stepdad argued until he was blue in the face. They gave him the dog just to get him to go away, I think.

For all of her years on Earth, that dog loved being outside, and hated being brought indoors! She slept outside my brother's window at night and moped when he left for college. She lived a good life (complete with regular vet care and 3 cats to chase) until she passed away of cancer just short of 12 years old.

[Darnright]

"I'm not against illogical laws,"

Sheesh, I got distracted by the fact that Ketchup Boy is on local TV, in my home town, ick.

I meant, "logical laws".

[Bikers4Bush]

I agree, that dog was being looked after a hell of a lot better than most outside dogs.

And there are a lot of dogs with thick coats that like being outside.

[Jonah Hex]

Carol Brady-Henderson, a Grosse Point Oval resident...

If she's related to Florence, I'm outta here!!

[CSM]

Personally I keep my dog indoors, in fact she is so spoiled that on a very cold day she makes her trips outside as short as possible. However, if a dog is an "outside" dog from birth, bringing them indoors may cause them more harm than good.

Will this city now legislate how to treat other "property" that you may have. You must clean your house on specific dates, you must shampoo your carpet, etc.

I know, it is easy to get emotional regarding our companion pets, but I don't want their status of property to change!

[Flyer]

Hornyak said she had to move Ranger outside because one of her daughters became allergic to him

Gee, couldn't they have sent the daughter off to live with Aunt Matilda?

My Golden will go sleep outside voluntarily when it is the 30's here. If it was below freezing he would probably stay inside, but he's not used to that here in Houston.

[Darnright]

"Personally I keep my dog indoors, in fact she is so spoiled that on a very cold day she makes her trips outside as short as possible."

My dogs are spoiled, sleep-on-the-bed critters. However, I do NOT think we need laws, that when read, make it a crime to take your Labrador Retriever on a 5 mile hike in the Ohio snow. That is the problem I have with the law in Ohio.

If I can find the ordinance, I'll post it to this thread.

[cake_crumb]

That is a STUPID law. When are people going to realize that you can no more legislate intelligence or responsible behavior than you can legislate morality? The definition of insanity is...

[PogySailor]

What about the poor wild creatures with no warm place to sleep? Shouldn't we pass a law that makes it a crime not to open your home to them as well? Isn't this discrimination based on domestication status? </major sarcasm>

[Darnright]

I found this information, concerning the law. Note the Olmstead City Council is having a meeting tomorrow, February 10th, so if you know anyone who thinks this is not the way pass laws, tell them to show up:

---

Olmsted Falls then introduced legislation aimed at outdoor pets. Titled
"Protection of Companion Animals", Ordinance 04-2004 has requirements that
are difficult to enforce, especially as the town does not have an animal
control officer. The legislation was drafted with input from national animal
rights groups like the Humane Society of the United States. People for the
Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) issued press releases and e-mail alerts
about the pending legislation.
Source: http://www.peta.org/Automation/NewsItem.asp?id=3816

The ordinance states that: "When the outside temperature drops below 20
degrees Fahrenheit, animals (defined as dogs or cats) must be brought
indoors." There are no exemptions for animals accompanied by their owners,
or those provided with adequate shelter.

Shelters are regulated in the ordinance. Straw or similar materials must be
used and stay dry, in order to comply with the ordinance. Shelters are
subject to all zoning and building regulations specified by the City.
According to the City's web site: "Permits are required for almost
everything you do in or outside of your home."
Source: http://www.olmstedfalls.org/olmstedfalls/

The ordinance lacks consideration for breeds with heavy coats, northern
breeds, cats that will not come in from the cold, and pet owners that have
provided warm and dry shelters for their pets. Ohio often has weeks of
weather where the temperature never gets to 20 degrees. There is no
provision for animals to be allowed outside to eliminate, exercise or play
if the temperature is below the mandated 20 degrees.

What you can do to help:

Residents of Olmsted Falls are urged to attend the next meeting, where the
ordinance is up for a final vote:
Tuesday, February 10, City Hall, 26100 Bagley Rd. Be there by 7 PM to sign
in.
http://www.olmstedfalls.org/olmstedfalls/

[Libertarianize the GOP]

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[farmfriend]

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[E.G.C.]

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