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Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Should county ban outdoor chains for dogs?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Forsyth County Commission may revamp its animal control ordinance to outlaw the chaining of dogs.
A draft change in the law, presented to commissioners at a work session Tuesday afternoon, also would dictate that each dog have a minimum of 150 feet of enclosed space for exercising.
Commissioners, who have been pressured by animal rights activists to outlaw chaining or tethering, expressed reservations about details of the proposed changes.
They also said the community should be given a minimum of 90 days to prepare for a ban on tethering, and a first violation should carry a warning, not fine.
“What if subdivisions don’t allow you to have a fence?” asked County Commissioner Linda Ledbetter.
“That’s a problem,” said Commissioner Brian Tam.
County attorney Ken Jarrard said dog owners still could use a leash or chain to walk their pet.
But he said, the proposed changes, would prevent owners from keeping their dogs on chains, ropes or leases just as a means to restrain the dogs’ movement outdoors.
For some residents, a county ordinance outlawing tethering is going “to cause a significant amount of grief,” Jarrard said.
County Commissioner Dave Richard said the board has a lot to think about.
“We’ve got to decide whether it is actually the role of government to get in all of this,” he said.
“We’re not banning giving out goldfish at the fair at least,” quipped Commission Chairman Charles Laughinghouse.
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