County Cracks Down on Dog Abusers; 15 Warned for Unlawful Chaining
www.santacruzsentinel.com
January 11, 2007, SANTA CRUZ, CA - Less than two weeks after a new law banning the chaining of dogs took effect, 15 people in Santa Cruz County have been issued warnings and one Watsonville man may face misdemeanor charges for animal neglect and abuse.
"Chaining dogs has been an extreme problem here," said Todd Stosuy, supervising field manager for Santa Cruz County Animal Services Authority. Stosuy is among five animal control officers patrolling for infractions 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. seven days a week.
"Dogs are pack animals and when they are chained up, away from people, they suffer both emotionally and physically," he added.
The new law, SB 1578, was signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in September and went into effect Jan. 1. It prohibits tethering, fastening, chaining or tying a dog to a stationary object for longer than three hours, with some exemptions for safety reasons. The law provides for penalties of up to $1,000 and six months in jail.
"This new law is very proactive to ending the suffering of animals," Stosuy said.
The Animal Services Authority gets an average of three calls a day from neighbors, police officers, Postal Service employees and concerned residents reporting tethered dogs, Stosuy said.
Stosuy said the biggest problems are in the San Lorenzo Valley and Watsonville.
In this past year, the Animal Services Authority issued 772 tickets countywide for various animal abuse infractions, and other violations of local and state ordinances related to animals. In addition to issuing tickets, the Animal Services Authority took 169 dogs into protective custody and 396 dogs were surrendered by their owners in 2005, the latest year figures were available.
Nancy Eaton, manager of the Santa Cruz SPCA, said dogs that are chained up for long periods develop dangerous antisocial behavior. Dogs who spend most of their time on the end of a chain become violent and are more likely to bite, said Eaton. They also become so bored they tend to chew their fur and eat unhealthy objects.
"Hopefully this new law will reach the eyes and ears of all those people who continue to abuse their dogs by tying them up all day long," said Eaton. "Imagine what it would be like to tie up a child for hours at a time"
A dog in Watsonville was taken into protective custody at the beginning of the month after the Animal Services Authority received a concerned phone call from Watsonville police. The dog's choke collar was embedded in his neck due to months of chaining it in the yard, according to the Animal Services Authority. The animal was beyond medical help when it was taken from its owner and was euthanized Monday.
The case will be forwarded to the District Attorney's Office, Stosuy said.
When Stosuy and other animal services officers cite owners for breaking the new law, they suggest owners buy a pulley or trolley system. Dog owners can hang this trolley system like they would a clothesline and dogs are attached to the line with a harness. These systems are sold at most pet supply stores for about $20.
"While the trolley isn't the best alternative, it is still better than chaining a dog," Stosuy said.
Animal control officers ask people who want to report a dog chained or tethered in an unlawful manner to call 454-7303, Ext. 2.
