I am a resident of Iowa and a dog owner. Tragically, I lost two of my labrador retreivers when they ran off without their collars. A man shot them, and due to an existing law in our state, he faced no repercussions for his actions. He bragged about what he did and lied multiple times, but in the end law enforcement was not able to do anything.

In Iowa, it is currently legal to shoot a dog that is not wearing a collar (Iowa Code 351.28). This law was initially enacted as a means to control stray and feral dogs that posed threats to livestock or people. However, it fails to consider situations like mine where responsible pet owners lose their beloved companions due to unforeseen circumstances. We now also have many dogs and cats who live indoors and have been microchipped and may not wear collars. These animals also have a chance of getting out of their normal confines and getting scared amd disoriented being out in the world.

This law affects many dog owners across the state. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), there are over 600,000 dogs in Iowa households. That's more than half a million pets at risk because of this outdated legislation.

We need your support now more than ever as we push for change in our local legislature. We propose an amendment that includes stricter regulations on when it is permissible for someone other than the owner or animal control officer to harm a dog.

It's time we protect our pets from unnecessary harm and bring justice for those who have already suffered loss under this unjust law. Please sign this petition today and help us make Iowa safer for all dogs!