Oppose Watertown, NY Dog Ban
Oppose Watertown, NY Dog Ban
The Issue
The city of Watertown is attempting to pass "Roxy's Law", legislation that would ban dog owners from bringing their dogs to any public events, such as fairs, parades, farmer's markets, etc. as well as banning dog owners from bringing their dogs within 20 feet of any public pool or playground.
This legislation is a knee-jerk reaction to an incident at the Watertown Farmer's Market in which a little boy was severely bitten by a dog. The dog was, at the time, leashed and with his owner, and the little boy had received permission to pet the dog. The circumstances of how the child was bitten are unclear and the animal had previously been petted by other children without any problems. However, because this bite occurred, Watertown legislators believe that an incident such as this will not happen again if dogs were banned from public events.
However, even if dogs were banned from public events, a bite such as this could easily occur anywhere in Watertown where people walk their dogs and parents are out with their children. What will the city council's next decision be, then? Ban all dogs from the city of Watertown?
Banning all dogs from public events will not address the issue in Watertown. The only thing this ban will accomplish is that it will force dog owners from enjoying public events along with their dogs, and it will make it difficult, if not impossible, for responsible owners to take advantage of the amount of socialization and training opportunities that public events offer.
In addition to the fact that this legislation will make no difference in preventing dog bites, it also proposes that dogs will be allowed at public events if they are left inside vehicles. This is contrary to New York's Agriculture and Market's Law (§353-d), which states that dogs may not be left inside vehicles in extreme heat or cold. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), leaving a dog inside a vehicle even on a moderately warm (or moderately cold) day and even with adequate ventilation can lead to death or serious physical injury due to exposure to the elements.
There is also the question regarding how this law would affect area animal shelters, dog rescues, and pet-related businesses which are often at outdoor public events with some of the animals in their care to promote pet adoptions or their businesses. Dogs regularly walk in the Christmas parade, for example, and rescue groups frequently attend public events to raise awareness.
We believe that dog bites can be prevented by responsible dog ownership and responsible parenting, not legislation banning dogs from public events. What happened was a sad accident that occurred likely through a combination of bad dog ownership (owner not knowing when to remove the dog from a stressful situation) and bad parenting (letting a toddler interact with a strange dog) and does not necessitate passing yet more restrictive laws for dog owners.
It amazes me that there are countries where a dog is really a man’s best friend everywhere and here in the USA a dog is only a man’s best friend at home.
It would prohibit dogs from public events such as the farmers market, the July 4 celebration at Thompson Park, the Jefferson County Fair and sporting events at the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds. Dogs also would be prohibited within 20 feet of city pools and playgrounds. They would be allowed at the events if they are kept in motor vehicles.
http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20111114/NEWS03/711149941
Agriculture and Markets Law §353-d:
§ 353-d. Confinement of companion animals in vehicles: extreme
temperatures. 1. A person shall not confine a companion animal in a
motor vehicle in extreme heat or cold without proper ventilation or
other protection from such extreme temperatures where such confinement
places the companion animal in imminent danger of death or serious
physical injury due to exposure to such extreme heat or cold.
http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/LAWSSEAF.cgi?QUERYTYPE=LAWS+&QUERYDATA=$$AGM353-D$$@TXAGM0353-D+&LIST=LAW+&BROWSER=EXPLORER+&TOKEN=00320904+&TARGET=VIEW
Dog Bite Prevention Week 2011 AVMA Video
Preventing Dog Bites AVMA Video
Follow us on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/StopRoxysLaw
Like us on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-Ban-on-Dogs-roxys-Law-in-Watertown-Ny/300715956636009?sk=wall
The Issue
The city of Watertown is attempting to pass "Roxy's Law", legislation that would ban dog owners from bringing their dogs to any public events, such as fairs, parades, farmer's markets, etc. as well as banning dog owners from bringing their dogs within 20 feet of any public pool or playground.
This legislation is a knee-jerk reaction to an incident at the Watertown Farmer's Market in which a little boy was severely bitten by a dog. The dog was, at the time, leashed and with his owner, and the little boy had received permission to pet the dog. The circumstances of how the child was bitten are unclear and the animal had previously been petted by other children without any problems. However, because this bite occurred, Watertown legislators believe that an incident such as this will not happen again if dogs were banned from public events.
However, even if dogs were banned from public events, a bite such as this could easily occur anywhere in Watertown where people walk their dogs and parents are out with their children. What will the city council's next decision be, then? Ban all dogs from the city of Watertown?
Banning all dogs from public events will not address the issue in Watertown. The only thing this ban will accomplish is that it will force dog owners from enjoying public events along with their dogs, and it will make it difficult, if not impossible, for responsible owners to take advantage of the amount of socialization and training opportunities that public events offer.
In addition to the fact that this legislation will make no difference in preventing dog bites, it also proposes that dogs will be allowed at public events if they are left inside vehicles. This is contrary to New York's Agriculture and Market's Law (§353-d), which states that dogs may not be left inside vehicles in extreme heat or cold. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), leaving a dog inside a vehicle even on a moderately warm (or moderately cold) day and even with adequate ventilation can lead to death or serious physical injury due to exposure to the elements.
There is also the question regarding how this law would affect area animal shelters, dog rescues, and pet-related businesses which are often at outdoor public events with some of the animals in their care to promote pet adoptions or their businesses. Dogs regularly walk in the Christmas parade, for example, and rescue groups frequently attend public events to raise awareness.
We believe that dog bites can be prevented by responsible dog ownership and responsible parenting, not legislation banning dogs from public events. What happened was a sad accident that occurred likely through a combination of bad dog ownership (owner not knowing when to remove the dog from a stressful situation) and bad parenting (letting a toddler interact with a strange dog) and does not necessitate passing yet more restrictive laws for dog owners.
It amazes me that there are countries where a dog is really a man’s best friend everywhere and here in the USA a dog is only a man’s best friend at home.
It would prohibit dogs from public events such as the farmers market, the July 4 celebration at Thompson Park, the Jefferson County Fair and sporting events at the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds. Dogs also would be prohibited within 20 feet of city pools and playgrounds. They would be allowed at the events if they are kept in motor vehicles.
http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20111114/NEWS03/711149941
Agriculture and Markets Law §353-d:
§ 353-d. Confinement of companion animals in vehicles: extreme
temperatures. 1. A person shall not confine a companion animal in a
motor vehicle in extreme heat or cold without proper ventilation or
other protection from such extreme temperatures where such confinement
places the companion animal in imminent danger of death or serious
physical injury due to exposure to such extreme heat or cold.
http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/LAWSSEAF.cgi?QUERYTYPE=LAWS+&QUERYDATA=$$AGM353-D$$@TXAGM0353-D+&LIST=LAW+&BROWSER=EXPLORER+&TOKEN=00320904+&TARGET=VIEW
Dog Bite Prevention Week 2011 AVMA Video
Preventing Dog Bites AVMA Video
Follow us on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/StopRoxysLaw
Like us on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-Ban-on-Dogs-roxys-Law-in-Watertown-Ny/300715956636009?sk=wall
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Petition created on December 7, 2011