#amimoore #hsus #NICE #www.chicagodogcaoch.com
CROSSPOSTING AND FORWARDING PERMITTED AND ENCOURAGED!!!
Highland Park, IL is proposing a number of very frightening changes to their existing animal ordinance. AKC has issued a legislative alert on this subject, which, while not complete, presents some of the major issues we face in Highland Park. This issue does not just impact Highland Park pet owners, but those of neighboring communities, as well, since if Highland Park adopts these new provisions in their animal ordinance, undoubtedly nearby communities may take similar action, also. Therefore, everyone (not just Highland Park residents) should consider attending the Highland Park City Council meeting on Monday Aug 24 2009 at 4:45 pm, where these proposed revisions to the animal ordinance will be considered.
One item of correction to the AKC Legislative Alert: The City Council Meeting where this will take place is at 4:45 pm Monday afternoon at the Highland Park City Hall (not 2:30 pm as in the AKC Alert.)
You can find a copy of the proposed ordinance, with changes, at this link - please read it carefully to familiarize yourself with these revisions (big file - allow time for download):
http://ping.fm/y7PYF
Let's work together for a big turnout on Monday at the Highland Park City Hall!
Margo Milde
AKC Legislative Liaison - Rand Park Dog Training Club Inc
AKC Legislative Liaison - Agility Ability Club of IL
AKC Legislative Liaison - Field Spaniel Society of America
__________________________________________________________________________
AKC Legislative Alert follows below:
From: doglaw [mailto:doglaw@akc.org]
Sent: Friday, August 21, 2009 2:33 PM
Subject: Highland Park Proposed Mandatory Spay/Neuter on a 1st Offense - YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!!!
Dear AKC Delegates, Judges, Club Officers and Breeders,
We are writing today to ask you to attend the Highland Park City Council meeting this coming Monday August 24th. We had previously contacted you about a proposed breed ban. Although the new draft does not contain breed restrictions, it does contain provisions that will have a negative impact on dog owners in Highland Park. It is imperative that concerned fanciers, and responsible dog owners and breeders immediately contact the Highland Park City Council in opposition to this vague, poorly written proposal and that we have a significant number of people attend the hearing in opposition on Monday.
Provisions of the new ordinance:
* Mandate spay/neuter of any intact dog that is impounded, even on a 1st offense.
* Defines as a “public nuisance,” a dog that engages in frequent of habitual barking. The terminology in this section is not defined, making this it entirely subjective and easily misused.
o Allows any dog deemed a “public nuisance” to be impounded. (Meaning the dog would have to be spayed/neutered before being returned to the owner.)
* Define as a “public nuisance” any enclosure that is offensive to persons residing in the vicinity because of debris or odors. Again, this is subjective and poorly defined, making it easily misused by a neighbor who does not like dogs.
* Create a “Problem Pet Owner” designation
o Anyone who commits 3 violations of this chapter in a 36 month period. (This could mean three violations under the aforementioned poorly-written barking dog section would require an owner to surrender their dogs!)
o “Problem Pet Owners” are prohibited from owning ANY animals for 24 months, and all existing animals must be surrendered to the Animal Warden of Chief of Police.
* Require that a female dog in heat be confined inside the owner’s home, a veterinary hospital or kennel at all times. This would prohibit the owner from taking the dog for a walk, or even allowing it in their own yard.
* Require an annual rabies vaccination, effectively prohibiting owners and veterinarians from using the existing 3-year rabies vaccine.
* Require that microchips provide readable information, including the animal’s name and contact information for the owner. As you know, when a microchip is scanned it only provides a serial number which can be looked up in a national database to provide the owner’s contact information. There are no microchips on the market capable of doing what this ordinance mandates. It would be impossible for residents to comply with the ordinance.
* Require that owners provide information about the reproductive status of the animal when it is licensed, likely to create a differential licensing system where owners of intact animals pay a higher fee.
* Include a series of restrictions on tethering:
o Requires any tethered animals be sterilized.
o Animals tethered for more than 1 hour must be supervised.
o Prohibits tethering between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Highland Park City Council Meeting
Monday August 24th, 2:30 pm
City Hall
1707 St. Johns Avenue
Highland Park, IL 60035
Mayor and City Council
City Hall
1707 St. Johns Avenue
Highland Park, IL 60035
Phone: (847) 432-0800
Fax: (847) 432-7625
Mayor, Michael D. Belsky
michael.belsky@fitchratings.com
Mayor Pro Tem, Michael C. Brenner
mrboating@aol.com
Councilman James Kirsch
hpkirsch@comcast.net
Councilman Scott Levenfeld
slevenfeld@earthlink.net
Councilman Steven W. Mandel
stevemandel@comcast.net
Councilwoman Terri R. Olian
oliancouncil@hpolian.com
Councilman Lawrence D. Silberman
lawrence.silberman@53.com
AKC Government Relations
8051 Arco Corporate Dr.
Raleigh, NC 27617-3390
919-816-3720
doglaw@akc.org
