Hoosiers Will Ring In New Year With New Laws, Ordinances
www.wishtv.com
Dec 31, 2006, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - Hoosiers will ring-in some new state laws and city ordinances starting New Years day.
For the first time, an Indianapolis city ordinance will regulate how dog owners can tether their pets outdoors. Under the new law, effective January first, no dog can be tethered or chained between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Owners must use tethers at least 12 feet long, with swivel connectors on each end.
Experts say eight out of ten dog bites come from male dogs who are chained and un-neutered.
"And those are the ones that are more likely to bite, because they're not socialized with people. You know, if it's set out there all by itself, it's like putting a person out there in solitary confinement," veterinarian Dr. Phil Borst said.
"So, I think the law on the tethering and different things are really good," pet owner Sharon Fralick said.
State lawmakers passed a new law, effective New Years day, regarding government consolidation. It establishes guidelines for local governments to combine operations and cut costs.
Evansville, Fort Wayne, and Muncie are among the cities that expect to use the new law in 2007.
