State Law Limiting Dog Chaining Modeled on L.A. Ordinance (Arnold signs Dog Tethering bill)

Los Angeles Times ^ | September 27, 2006 | Nancy Vogel

[calcowgirl]

SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill today outlawing the chaining of dogs for more than three hours a day, saying the new law will help prevent dog attacks.

Animal rights groups sponsored the bill, arguing that chained dogs often don't get adequate food, water or medical attention and are more likely to bite people because they are not socialized and cannot flee perceived threats.

The governor's signature makes California the second state, after Connecticut, to limit dog tethering. The new law is modeled after a city of Los Angeles ordinance.

"This bill helps protect dogs from cruelty," said Schwarzenegger in a statement, "and enhances public safety by preventing aggressive animal behavior that can result from inhumane tethering."

The governor, the owner of two dogs, signed the bill despite the opposition of policy advisors who called it unnecessary.

The legislation, SB 1578 by Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach), takes effect in January. It makes it a misdemeanor — punishable by a fine of $1,000 or six months in jail — to tie, chain or tether a dog for more than three hours a day. The law makes exceptions for dogs tied to running lines and pulley systems, used for hunting or herding sheep or cattle and those staying in campgrounds.

Roughly 80 cities or counties in the U.S. have passed similar ordinances, including Los Angeles.

(snip)

Also today, the governor signed a bill that gives California National Guard members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan a leg up on getting state jobs. AB 2550 by Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo) gives National Guard members or their surviving spouses additional preference points when applying for state civil service jobs.

[calcowgirl]

09/27/2006   GAAS:685:06   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation to Outlaw Inhumane Dog Tethering

Governor Schwarzenegger announced today the signing of SB 1578 by Senator Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) that would prohibit dog owners from the cruel practice of tethering their pets to stationary objects for more than three hours. 

 

“Owning a dog can be a very rewarding experience. As a dog owner, I know first hand that having a pet requires a lot of responsibility,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “This bill helps protect dogs from cruelty, and enhances public safety by preventing aggressive animal behavior that can result from inhumane tethering.”

 

SB 1578 outlaws the tethering of a dog for more than three hours. Tethering a dog will result in an infraction or misdemeanor, depending on the offense, punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 per dog and/or up to six months in a county jail.

 

Last week, Governor Schwarzenegger signed two other bills to enhance pet safety. SB 1806 by Senator Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont) will make it a crime for pet owners to carelessly leave animals unattended in vehicles during dangerous conditions, such as hot weather. SB 1349 by Senator Soto (D-Pomona) increases the penalty for causing any animal to fight with another animal to one year or less in the county jail or up to a $5,000 fine, or both.  The second offense for fighting animals or roosters can be a felony in some cases, which may result in prison time or a $25,000 fine, or both.

 

[Still Thinking]

Oh, good Lord. Californicators are now living under a totalitarian government (not necessarily hostile, simply willing to become involved in every aspect of their "total" lives)

[ansel12]

So what is your opinion?

[TChris]

It makes it a misdemeanor — punishable by a fine of $1,000 or six months in jail — to tie, chain or tether a dog for more than three hours a day.

Our country is going nuts. This degree of punishment is astonishingly out of proportion with the "crime" in question.

[Mark was here]

Our country is going nuts. This degree of punishment is astonishingly out of proportion with the "crime" in question.

This is one step towards removing animals from being property of the owners to beings with civil rights.

Those who don't want someone else's dog tied up can buy the dog from the owner and let it run free!

[GOP_Proud]

What the ...?

So after 3 hours they are released to roam? I can see it now.

In keeping with the law a CA resident releases his dog after it is chained for 3 hours. Dog bites child. The law is challenged in court when the parents sue the state because the neighbor was just "following the law".

Well, it's funny. I can see some dummy thinking it.

[BigTex5]

I would never have agreed with you, that is until I bought my first house. Living in apartments you don't experience the animal part. My neighbor's chocolate lab, great dog, he leaves him chained up in the backyard. Never pets him, just throws out the food bowl. Even his kids don't go out back. I pet the dog when I can. I'm amazed at how friendly he is, even to me a stranger. Anyway, the dude gets home from work about 4:30am. What does the dog do everytime? OH BOY SOMEBODY TO PLAY WITH ME!!!! and starts barking and whaling for about an hour.

I've *cough* unleashed him several times at night just so he can get exercise and whatever else dogs do.

I have two ideas... One ask the neighbor if I can take the dog, or two, complain to my HOA.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

outlawing the chaining of dogs for more than three hours a day,

For the love of algore!

Ok personally I disapprove of chaining dogs but making it a law?

[calcowgirl]

More nanny-state laws.

[mdittmar]

"This bill helps protect dogs from cruelty,"

Hmmm,I wonder what their stance on abortion is?

[Mark was here]

I have two ideas... One ask the neighbor if I can take the dog, or two, complain to my HOA.

It would be nice of you to buy the dog from it's current jerk of an owner.

[Amerigomag]

Outlaw Inhumane Dog Tethering

Of course it's inhumane. They're dogs.

Next, Schwarzenegger will approve legislation outlawing the killing of cattle and sheep.

He'll approve the prosecution of insecticide manufacturers for committing genocide on certain species of ants and roaches.

The Austrian will leave no stone unturned until he has illuminated and prevented the inhumane treatment committed by humans on other animals.

So much to do. So little time to do it.

[Rogle]

In 1991 or 1992 Lawton OK passed a city ordnance that said that you could not chain a dog. I remember driving from work on Ft Sill to my home in Lawton and passing a family that was in their front yard. The dog was having playing with the adults in and the toddler was chained by a harness to a tree.

[momincombatboots]

I feel the same way. Dogs require socialization. It is cruel to chain them up for hours. I think in addition to the fine, the owners should be chained outside with nasty warm water and nothing to do. My family has hunting dogs who are kenneled and exercised every weekend regardless of the weather. Huge responsibility.

[Centurion2000]

SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill today outlawing the chaining of dogs for more than three hours a day, saying the new law will help prevent dog attacks.

I'm so glad that california has solved all the major problems like lack of freedom, crushing taxes, illegal aliens and has time to waste on stupid laws like this.

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

Yes,but will this law protect dogs from the courageous(dog shooters)police?

[BigTex5]

For what he (the dog) puts up, he's extremely socialable and gentle. Makes me wonder how he deals with everything. All he wants to do is run and play, that's it. He's gotten out several times to next neighbors yard to play with his dogs. The owner goes over there, beats him and chains him up again.

Too bad the guy is twice my size or I'd think of chaining him up to!

[BlueMondaySkipper]

Our country is going nuts. This degree of punishment is astonishingly out of proportion with the "crime" in question.

Exactly.

Chain a dog up for 181 minutes and you could go to jail for SIX MONTHS!!

I wonder if the time they spend "tethered" to a leash counts.

[SmoothTalker]

Arnie really is acting like a "girly-man." And to think some actually wished this RINO was eligable for the White House.