Canvassers ply L.A. streets seeking unlicensed dogs

L.A. Times ^ | 2/24/10 | Carla Hall

[Evil Slayer]

There are 4 million people in the city of Los Angeles and who knows how many dogs. Of its canine residents, the city is sure only of this: About 120,000 are licensed -- as required by law -- and a lot of others are not.

"Nobody has ever done a census. It's anyone's guess how many are out there," said Kathy Davis, general manager of L.A.'s Department of Animal Services, who declined to pick a number. "But we certainly don't assume we have all of them licensed."

In this time of budget cuts, that spells opportunity for revenue.

Dogs don't make money. But the City Council is betting that going after their owners for license fees will help fill L.A.'s cash-starved coffers.

[Evil Slayer]

I couldn't find this after doing a search so hope I didn't double post.

[Touch Not the Cat]

.
Voter registration?

[OldNavyVet]

The desperate search for money has “civil servants” knocking on doors.

A uniformed Animal Control deputy recently came to my door ... to see if I had any animals.

[motor_racer]

Please, let’s not hurt their feelings! “Unlicensed” is so prejudicial! We should say “undocumented.”

[libertarian27]

Pooch Excise Tax

excise: a tax that is measured by the amount of business done

Wonder if they will license(tax) by weight soon....larger dogs usually do more business....

[JohnLongIsland]

In the Little Rascals classic episode "The Pooch" when the dog catcher nabs Petey, Stymie turns around and goes to him "He ain't got no license..all he's got is fleas."

[JohnLongIsland]

In the Little Rascals classic episode "The Pooch" when the dog catcher nabs Petey, Stymie turns around and goes to him "He ain't got no license..all he's got is fleas."

[almost done by half]

We don’t care how many illegal immigrants we have, but we must know how many dogs there are! ;-)

[Oldpuppymax]

Don’t tell me LA is running out of things to tax??!! How about an “existence” tax. Everyone exists courtesy of Big Brother, so taxing it would only be fair!!

[Venturer]

It would be better if they prowled the streets looking for illegals.

[Red in Blue PA]

CA’s coffers must be overflowing!

[brytlea]

Really?

[kanawa]

RDO Woof

[agooga]

“Thanks for a nation of finks.” W.S. Burroughs.

[LongElegantLegs]

They should be taxing...Thingie.

[brytlea]

I would be most interested in knowing how many dogs end up in shelters as a result of this.

[kanawa]

The canvassers do a dance of asking and negotiating, while offering information on spaying and neutering.

It would be good if, as well, they used the opportunity
to distribute general info on responsible dog ownership.

[Evil Slayer]

I would be most interested in knowing how many dogs end up in shelters as a result of this.

Lots. The sad thing is not only shelters but you'll see them simply turn them loose in the streets. I feel sorry for the dogs unless they were being abused by their owners, i.e. beaten, starved, etc.

I agree with another poster above. Why don't they use the manpower to round up all the illegals and tax them? Priorities are upside down in LA.

[Cicero]

How many unlicensed dogs belong to illegals?

[Pajama Blogger]

I've got a license and health insurance! Pass me another cold one.