Free Republic

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...

Given that many moderate and conservative Californians see Arnold Schwarzenegger's veto pen as all that protects them from the most far-left Legislature north of Caracas, it may be a surprise to learn that so far the governor's sign-to-veto ratio on bills sent his way is a stunning 19 to 1. As of Thursday afternoon, Schwarzenegger had given his official blessings to 379 measures while only rejecting 20. The governor seems to think California doesn't have enough laws already. We disagree. Here is our second list of bills now on Schwarzenegger's desk whose next stop should be the trash can, not...

Given that many moderate and conservative Californians see Arnold Schwarzenegger's veto pen as all that protects them from the most far-left Legislature north of Caracas, it may be a surprise to learn that so far the governor's sign-to-veto ratio on bills sent his way is a stunning 19 to 1. As of yesterday afternoon, Schwarzenegger had given his official blessings to 379 measures while only rejecting 20. The governor seems to think California doesn't have enough laws already. We disagree. Here is our second list of bills now on Schwarzenegger's desk whose next stop should be the trash can, not...

08-08) 04:00 PDT Sacramento -- Man's best friend shouldn't spend the day tied up. That's the message of a coalition of animal rights organizations hoping that state lawmakers will approve a bill to restrict the tethering of dogs. SB1578 would limit the tethering of dogs to three hours during 24 hours, and, supporters say, hopefully persuade owners not to tie up their dogs at all. Proponents of the legislation say tethering dogs all day is not only unfair to the animals but can lead to more aggression. "Dogs that are chained permanently become more aggressive and are more likely to...