Support for Rule on Dog Chains
www.gazette.net
July 20, 2006, Carroll County, Maryland -
Proposed changes to Carroll County’s animal ordinance that would limit the time dogs could be chained outside met with the approval of most of the residents who spoke at a public hearing Monday night.
Katie Turrell of Eldersburg thanked the county commissioners for taking what she said she believes is the first step toward making Carroll a better place for dogs to live.
‘‘I think if everyone acted with common sense and compassion for our fellow creatures we wouldn’t have to make a law at all,” she said. ‘‘But there are people who abuse and take advantage of animals.”
However, several believed the current law should be enforced.
Paul DeTello of Westminster said he has lived most of his life in urban areas, and keeps his dog on an 80-foot cable between two trees with a doghouse 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
‘‘My dog’s been this way for seven years, and he’s fine,” he said. ‘‘He’s not aggressive. My kids feed him, and where I live there’s not a house in sight, so when something comes on my property he lets me know. My dog’s not mistreated. He’s healthy and serving a purpose.”
Changes to the law would ban the chaining of a dog for more than 12 hours and at no time 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. The proposed ordinance also states that a dog’s tether must be at least four and a half times the dog’s length, but not less than 10 feet.
Nicky Ratliff, executive director of the Humane Society of Carroll County, said the proposed changes were sparked by dog owners’ mistreatment of their dogs and complaints the Humane Society received over time.
Prior to Monday night’s meeting, Ratliff said she had received about 30 phone calls from concerned residents in the week prior to the public hearing.
Some dog owners regularly chain their dogs, and fail to care for the animals by providing food, water, shelter from the environment and weather, Ratliff said.
A room full of people attended the public hearing held at the county headquarters in Westminster — the majority speaking in support of the proposed ordinance.
The proposed changes struck a chord with many residents who spoke of neighbors who mistreat their dogs, whether tethering creates undo suffering, distinction of domestic property and comparisons of a dog to children.
The current ordinance states that between Dec. 1 and March 15, and whenever the actual or ‘‘effective” temperature is 35 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, a dog must have shelter with a weather-proof roof and protection from the elements; bedding and fresh water must be available to the dog at least twice daily.
Between June 1 and Sept. 15 or anytime temperatures are above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, natural or manmade shade must be available to a confined dog between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.; a dog shelter is under no circumstances considered shade; proper shelter must be provided; and fresh water must be available.
‘‘Dogs are individuals. They shiver in the cold; they are miserable in the heat just like us,” Turrell said.
Jodie Hoffman of Westminster supported the proposal. Hoffman said she has witnessed the cruelty and mistreatment owners place on their dogs.
‘‘The dog up the street from me has no veterinary care, shelter, space, or proper nutrition and food,” she said. ‘‘I don’t know how that’s not suffering or cruel for an animal and I want to make sure this goes forward.”
Jessica DeTello of Westminster, however, urged county commissioners not to ‘‘pass the majority of owners with a few bad owners.”
‘‘I think this is an urban vs. rural issue,” DeTello said. ‘‘I couldn’t oppose it more. We have a dog and we make sure he gets taken care of, but please enforce the law as it stands.”
Carolyn Kilby of Westminster and numerous other residents presented the commissioners with a petition signed by more than 300 people opposing the proposal.
Nancy Weavers, a certified behaviorist who works in Carroll County, disagreed, and said she strongly supports the ordinance.
‘‘Dogs are a No. 1 responsibility,” Weavers said. ‘‘We have alarm systems for other reasons, and I support everything the Humane Society’s doing.”
Veterinarian Mary New, former president of the Carroll Kennel Club, assists national agencies with veterinary care, policies and regulations also supports the proposed changes. ‘‘Throughout the country Carroll County is well known for what they’ve done in dog advocacy. We’ve evolved.”
‘‘There’s nothing worse than going down to New Orleans and not being able to rescue dogs because they were chained and caught in sludge.” she said. ‘‘I commend what the Humane Society’s doing and fully support it.”
Carolyn Maehowski, a Carroll resident, has worked in animal protection and welfare for the past year.
Maehowski said she supports the ordinance but feels informing the public should be a priority. ‘‘One thing I think everyone’s missed is we need the Humane Society to act as educators also for the public.”
Barbara Lam traveled from Howard County to attend the public hearing. Lam, a pet sitter, said Carroll is paving the way for neighboring counties. ‘‘I came to say that I think it’s wonderful Carroll’s proposing this. I plan to take a lot of the ideas back to Howard County with me.”
Linda Junkins of Mount Airy addressed county commissioners on behalf of Tails of Hope, a Carroll organization that places animals in foster homes.
Junkins, the director and one of the founders six years ago, said she also worked in animal rescue for 12 years. ‘‘I have a dog that came from a chained home. He came to us and I took him on as a project and saw the good in him.”
County commissioners will leave the issue open for public comment for 30 days before meeting with County Attorney Kimberly Millender and the Humane Society of Carroll County to discuss it.
The proposed ordinance may be reviewed, and copies obtained at the Office of the County Clerk, 225 North Center Street, Room 300, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by visiting the county government Web site www.ccgovernment.carr.org. Carroll County Library branches also have copies for review.
Written comments may be addressed to Kathryn L. Rauschenberg, County Clerk, 225 North Center Street, Room 300, Westminster, Md 21157, or e-mailed to krauschenberg@ccg.carr.org.
