Jan 23, 2008
by Pete Wann
The Fort Worth City Council took a major step in the defense of the weakest among us, our pets, on Tuesday by making it illegal to tether, chain, or leave unattended a dog.
This couldn’t have happened without the help and tireless work of Suzette Watkins, who brought pictures to the council to demonstrate just how horrible the conditions for some of these dogs are.
Keep in mind that an ordinance is only as good as the level of enforcement it gets, so let’s hope that the PD follows through.
Thanks for your efforts, Suzette!
Tags: city council, dogs, suzette, tethering
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4 Comments, Comments or Pings
Suzette
Gosh, I played a very minor part in the deal but was happy to help the Mayor and Council realize how bad of problem we have here in Ft. Worth, especially the East Side with mistreated dogs. A tremendous amount, if not all, of the credit belongs on the shoulders of Mayor Mike Moncrief for supporting the Ordinance with such a strong voice and to all of the Council members, especially Chuck Silcox who spoke out so strongly for the Ordinance AND the enforcement of such. Jungus Jordan, Danny Scarth, Frank Moss and my own Council Representative Ms. Kathleen Hicks vocally supported the Ordinance. I am thrilled for the dogs in Ft. Worth! It’s a progressive step for our City to care more about our beloved dogs who have no voice and who are so misused and abused. The Domestic Animal Care arm of PETA also helped tremendously with supplying facts, stats and legal terms in getting this Ordinance written and passed. Dr. Agyemang with Ft. Worth Animal Control deserves alot of credit and the Founder of “Hearts for Animals” who deals with the worst of the worst cases of abused Pitt Bulls gave a tear jerker of a speech in support of the Ordinance. If more people could hear and see what that lady deals with on a daily basis, I think there would be alot more money donated and an outcry for more accountability for irresponsible dog owners and breeders. Also a big thanks to petew (Cowtown Chronicles) for all he does for exposing this issue and helping find homes for abandoned dogs. Without enforcement, nothing will change. So time will tell if the Ordinance helps.
Jan 23rd, 2008
simeon
What about those mean guard dogs that SHOULD be tethered when their owners aren’t there?
Jan 23rd, 2008
Suzette
Those mean guard dogs should be behind a secure capable fence, or in the house, with enough room so that the mean guard dog can move around and be comfortable and able to do his job if someone comes inside the fence or house instead of hurting his neck on a tether when he lunges forward. If the owner can’t afford the fence, then he best get a “little” guard dog so that he can afford the proper environment for the dog. It’s all about responsible pet ownership.
Jan 24th, 2008
steph
Um, no, simeon, the mean guard dog shouldn’t be tethered. It should be in a fence or in the house, where it can relax, move around and be happy.
Besides, a “mean ol’ guard dog” can better perform its duties if it’s in the house or in a fence since unteathered, it can freely attack intruders. If it’s tethered to a tree or pole, it’s pretty much useless as a guard dog since it can barely move and can easily be avoided. And just letting the dog (mean or nice) roam the streets unfenced isn’t an option. It dangerous for the dog and to pedestrians. And it’s illegal.
And like Suzette said, if you can’t afford the proper environment for a dog (or if you’re too lazy or cheap to provide the proper environment for a dog or any pet), you really shouldn’t own one at all. I’ve never understood people who get a pet only to treat it like a disposable object, or worse.
Jan 24th, 2008
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