Curious: How Do You All Feel About CA's "New" Law?

[suki]

This would be the one:


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(09-28) 04:00 PDT Sacramento -- Dogs in California will not be allowed to be tethered to a stationary object for more than three hours under a bill signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday.

SB1578 by state Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, was co-sponsored by animal rights organizations and animal control directors. Supporters say long-term tethering makes dogs more aggressive and more likely to bite. The bill allows dogs to be tied up when they are attached to a pulley system, if it is to allow owners to complete temporary tasks or for training or on farms if necessary for the animal's safety.

"We're very excited the governor has joined other compassionate Californians in taking a stand against this practice," said Pam Runquist, a member of the board of the California Animal Association, a coalition of 15 animal rights organizations.

Violation of the new law, which will go into effect Jan. 1, could result in an infraction or misdemeanor, depending on the offense, punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 per dog and up to six months in county jail.

The governor also signed several bills improving the oversight of conservators, changing the way they are licensed, monitored and investigated by the courts.

"We have a responsibility to help ensure that individuals entrusted with the well-being of our most vulnerable citizens are not taking advantage of or harming them," Schwarzenegger said in a statement.

SB1716 by state Sen. Debra Bowen, D-Marina del Ray, provides additional oversight tools to the courts to try to prevent financial abuse and neglect of the elderly. The bill allows courts to review the conservatorship at any time, allows consideration of informal reports of abuse and requires investigators to closely inspect the quality of care being provided.

SB1550 by state Sen. Liz Figureroa, D-Fremont, establishes a licensing and disciplinary scheme for people who are conservators or guardians for two or more people to whom they are not related. Another bill, SB1116 by state Sen. Jack Scott, D-Altadena, requires a more thorough review before someone under a conservator's responsibility is moved out of his or her own residence.

E-mail Lynda Gledhill at lgledhill@sfchronicle.com.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/artic...BAG3CLEBKA1.DTL

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[Tori's mom]

I'm thrilled. I wish we could get something like that passed here, but in such a rural area many dogs spend their entire lives on a short chain. Usually someone comes out about once a day to dump some food in their bowl and give them a pat on the head. What kind of life is that? Sure, If we had such a law passed we'd have a major influx into the shelter at first, but I think it would help with the unwanted pet problem- unaltered female on a chain having litter after litter.
I don't see any downside.

[BelovedJuggernaut]

Finally... we needed something like that here a LONG time ago!

[ClarkFarm]

I am against this. Yes, I see some dogs mistreated and on tie-outs seemingly always but I also know quite a few outside only dogs who have wonderful lives and better care than many indoor dogs. A pulley system doesn't work in all cases and a fence is not an option for everyone nor for every dog.

Like most other things, only the negative images are broadcasted and used to convince everyone that every single outside dog has a terrible life. Just like the media giving pitbulls a bad reputation. You only see the bad. In my book, this is the same as bsl. Bull Sh*t Legislation.

[GSP4619]

My Aunt lives in a rural part of PA and she did not have a fence in her backyard when they got Wallace. He does not sleep outside but other then his walks and time at the park they needed a place for him ti do his business and hang out sometimes. They did not believe in tieing him up outside. So what they did was if they got fencing all along their property it would be very costly. So what the end result was they had a run built so he can spend time outside to do his business.

I guess everyone handles their own situations differently. But I am glad that bill was passed.

I feel sometimes their's always a different way to handles things then to tie your dog up all the time.

[pbrdog]

On a sporting dog aspect, it's a stupid law. When a trainer is working multiple dogs, other dogs are waiting and watching on what is called the chain gang. This law is directed at people who are abusive to their dogs and tie them up all day on a short leash in the backyard or in some solitude enviroment. It is a very vague law that is poorly written and doesn't apply to many circumstances. And another thing is who is going to enforce it? The police? Animal control? Like they don't have anything else to do than worry about than this.

[Rottweilerlvr]

I see both sides of the story and I find myself torn. When I hear chain, I SEE the story of a rottweiler who broke through a chain and attacked a jogger and there are many other stories like this, but once again these laws effect the responsible owner who chain their dogs. In the end, though, I would rather see chaining laws than BSL, but I doubt keeping dogs off chains will stop attacks.... Again, it all still falls on the irresponsible owner and these laws HURT the responsible dog owner.

[BelovedJuggernaut]

On a sporting dog aspect, it's a stupid law. When a trainer is working multiple dogs, other dogs are waiting and watching on what is called the chain gang. This law is directed at people who are abusive to their dogs and tie them up all day on a short leash in the backyard or in some solitude enviroment. It is a very vague law that is poorly written and doesn't apply to many circumstances. And another thing is who is going to enforce it? The police? Animal control? Like they don't have anything else to do than worry about than this.


When would a trainer have the same dogs being tied up for more than three hours though?

I think there are many other options for those who cannot fence their yards, such as an outside pen that you can find used for $25 bucks.


I think this is a law that is there, but not always enforced. It is one of those laws that if a neighbor complains, there is actually a law in place for the irresponsable dog owner. it is mostly up to the discretion of the law officer.

[ClarkFarm]

Originally posted by BelovedJuggernaut:
I think this is a law that is there, but not always enforced. It is one of those laws that if a neighbor complains, there is actually a law in place for the irresponsable dog owner. it is mostly up to the discretion of the law officer.

I think that is way too much assumption.

And if there is an all day sporting dog event, some of the dogs would be tied for much longer than 3 hours.

And I have never seen an outdoor kennel for only $25 but they present some of the same problems as a fence.

[GSP4619]

I bet those hunting dogs are well well taken care of. They have hatches on the back of the pickups for them as well. They don't just get tied and forgot about. These hunters care about their dogs it's a bonding thing and a working relationship. I have not met one hunter who seemed to mistreat their dog.


Pbrdog why will this law effect them if it's an event. So now will they target agility events and shows when some of the dogs are confined for a bit??

[BelovedJuggernaut]

Originally posted by BelovedJuggernaut:


I think that is way too much assumption.

And if there is an all day sporting dog event, some of the dogs would be tied for much longer than 3 hours.

And I have never seen an outdoor kennel for only $25 but they present some of the same problems as a fence.

I was talking to one of my friends about it, he is a police officer out here, and he was actually happy about this law going through.

He said that when patroling the same areas, you can see dogs that are being treated unfairly and chained all the time. Their department gets calls on the same two-three dogs and there is nothing they could do because there was no law against chaing an animal up.

As far as events, he said that most situations are up to the discretion of the officers. He told me they certainly wouldn't have a fit over dogs at an event or other circumstances such as that.

And really, no kennel for $25? Check craigslist or pennysaver, at least for this area I find them all the time!

[DiggityDogs]

beloved- i think you're talking about ex pens? the little folding fences you see at dog shows all the time?

Those def. wouldn't solve the problem of eventing dogs- when you have a dog that's highly prey driven and sees other dogs getting to hunt there's no way those would hold them back, which is why few people use them at agility trials or flyball events.

I think this law needed to be passed. As with other laws, like you said, it's usually the officer's discresion and they surely woulnd't see any cruelty in sporting events or camping trips, etc. These are places where the dog is constantly supervised and not left alone for hours at a time on a chain. In the end, it will probably inconvenience some good people. My thoughts on that are- those of you who are inconvenienced, please stop and think where your priority is. Are you saying that your need to chain your dog at a hobby hunting event trumps the need to stop the cruelty that results from chaining? Those of us who are able should certainly be able to find alternatives to chaining so that a few dogs can suffer less at the hands of irresponsible, abusive owners.

[BelovedJuggernaut]

beloved- i think you're talking about ex pens? the little folding fences you see at dog shows all the time?

Those def. wouldn't solve the problem of eventing dogs- when you have a dog that's highly prey driven and sees other dogs getting to hunt there's no way those would hold them back, which is why few people use them at agility trials or flyball events.

I think this law needed to be passed. As with other laws, like you said, it's usually the officer's discresion and they surely woulnd't see any cruelty in sporting events or camping trips, etc. These are places where the dog is constantly supervised and not left alone for hours at a time on a chain. In the end, it will probably inconvenience some good people. My thoughts on that are- those of you who are inconvenienced, please stop and think where your priority is. Are you saying that your need to chain your dog at a hobby hunting event trumps the need to stop the cruelty that results from chaining? Those of us who are able should certainly be able to find alternatives to chaining so that a few dogs can suffer less at the hands of irresponsible, abusive owners.


No, no exercise pens, the big huge kennels! Before we had a fenced yard, we bought two off CL for like 65 bucks total, and they had a place to play outside and be safely kept while fence was being built.

I agree, no excuse should be made that people HAVE to chain their dogs. There are alternatives.

[Rottweilerlvr]

I agree, no excuse should be made that people HAVE to chain their dogs. There are alternatives.

Some of the working multi-dog pitbull owners won't like that statement. They feel it is safer to keep their dogs on a chain than side by side kennel runs as some will fight through the fence. Just be aware, as I became aware, that there are responsible and socialized dogs that live on long chains because of a multi-dog home. Some working pitbulls don't live well with other pits but are excellent in their job.

[ClarkFarm]

Originally Posted by BelovedJuggernaut
I agree, no excuse should be made that people HAVE to chain their dogs. There are alternatives.

I would have agreed with this until I had met Penny.. the coonhound, remember her? She escaped fences and kennels and was much too timid to remain inside for very long. My alternative to using a tie-out, not a chain, was finding her a different home, which I did, but not everyone would agree that was justified.

[DiggityDogs]

No, no exercise pens, the big huge kennels! Before we had a fenced yard, we bought two off CL for like 65 bucks total, and they had a place to play outside and be safely kept while fence was being built.


But if you were at a event, or somewhere training other than your home, how would that help? Are you saying this is something that hunters should be prepared to pack up and take with them? I assume you're talking about the chain link type kennel.

Don't ge me wrong, I agree that this law is a good thing, I'm just wondering what you meant about the kennels. I think the OP of the hunting trials was talking about chaining at trials, or at training, while each dog waits it's turn.

There are always dogs out there that are escape artists, but there's always a solution. I don't blame you, clark, for finding the dog a new home- your original intention was to rescue her anyhow. Even if that wasn't the intention and you wanted to keep her, if a situation arises that makes it difficult for you to safely and/or completely care for an animal, then in that case it IS better of in another home, of course provided that new home is better equipped to deal with the situation. I think that the law, allowing three hours being chained up, is plenty. People who have pits who will fence fight can easily solve that situation by attaching sheet metal screens to (or in-between) the fencing. I've seen this done at boarding kennels and it works quite well. Or, they can space the kennels far enough apart that no injuries could be sustained- if they're willing to have chains and dog houses all over their yard, why not spread the kennels out over their yards.

[GSP4619]

I am posting this off a another forum I'm in. Thought it was a good post and to the point.


This type of thing has to be combated at the local level. None of us, generally, are politically connected enough that we can stop this type of thing from happening just by griping about it on an internet forum. When you hear of a bill like this (it was obviously passed by the California legislature before it even got to the Terminator's desk), and there are watchdog groups that will keep you informed, you've got to be proactive and talk with your congressional representatives and let them know your opinion on the matter.

How many people actually know and have talked personally with their State congressional reps? *raises hand* I hope many more will if something like this comes up in your home State.
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[BelovedJuggernaut]

But if you were at a event, or somewhere training other than your home, how would that help? Are you saying this is something that hunters should be prepared to pack up and take with them? I assume you're talking about the chain link type kennel.

Don't ge me wrong, I agree that this law is a good thing, I'm just wondering what you meant about the kennels. I think the OP of the hunting trials was talking about chaining at trials, or at training, while each dog waits it's turn.

There are always dogs out there that are escape artists, but there's always a solution. I don't blame you, clark, for finding the dog a new home- your original intention was to rescue her anyhow. Even if that wasn't the intention and you wanted to keep her, if a situation arises that makes it difficult for you to safely and/or completely care for an animal, then in that case it IS better of in another home, of course provided that new home is better equipped to deal with the situation. I think that the law, allowing three hours being chained up, is plenty. People who have pits who will fence fight can easily solve that situation by attaching sheet metal screens to (or in-between) the fencing. I've seen this done at boarding kennels and it works quite well. Or, they can space the kennels far enough apart that no injuries could be sustained- if they're willing to have chains and dog houses all over their yard, why not spread the kennels out over their yards.


No, I was talking about home life, not oput hunting. i can see the reason for hunting dog to be tied during trips, and I am almost positive that officers would too.

[catcher T]

its ridiculous to assume that every dog on a tie out is abused,,there are some competant dog owners in this world that put dogs out on tie outs,,putting them out on tie outs does not make them mean,,and is not abusive. I know plenty of dogs that can escape any thing they are put in,,except a chain. there are length requirements in just about every state. I am a little confused why the court systems would want to waste money on a case like this when the dog is healthy,,I see plenty of abused animals living in peoples houses

[pbrdog]

its ridiculous to assume that every dog on a tie out is abused,,there are some competant dog owners in this world that put dogs out on tie outs,,putting them out on tie outs does not make them mean,,and is not abusive. I know plenty of dogs that can escape any thing they are put in,,except a chain. there are length requirements in just about every state. I am a little confused why the court systems would want to waste money on a case like this when the dog is healthy,,I see plenty of abused animals living in peoples houses

You are exactly right. I see the law being enforced on a case by case basis. It's just too vague to make it a cut and dry law.

[BelovedJuggernaut]

You are exactly right. I see the law being enforced on a case by case basis. It's just too vague to make it a cut and dry law.

But that is how ALL law is, there is no nlack and white, just a whole lot of grey area.

[suki]

its ridiculous to assume that every dog on a tie out is abused,,there are some competant dog owners in this world that put dogs out on tie outs,,putting them out on tie outs does not make them mean,,and is not abusive. I know plenty of dogs that can escape any thing they are put in,,except a chain. there are length requirements in just about every state. I am a little confused why the court systems would want to waste money on a case like this when the dog is healthy,,I see plenty of abused animals living in peoples houses


I agree, T.
I personally don't favor it, but it was interesting to read everyone's comments on it.
Tx for the replies.