Your organization namelogo Dogs Proposed Animal Ordinance The

Your organization name/logo Dogs Proposed Animal Ordinance

The New Ordinance Making a model ordinance: • Input from the National Animal Control Assoc. • Local animal services and veterinary expertise • Regional animal services expertise: city 1, city 2, city 3 • Citizen and volunteer (rescue) input and approval of neighborhood associations • Recommended animal ordinances of cities across the country • Research from national humane and veterinary organizations

NACA Recommendations National Animal Control Association The most effective ordinances are those that are: Easy to read and understand—by Animal Control, the prosecutor, the judge, and the general public.

NACA Recommendations continued For example… do not say it is unlawful to be cruel to an animal unless you add: • By failing to provide potable water. • By depriving it of proper nutrition. • By failing to provide medical care. • By failing to provide proper shelter. • By failing to provide room to exercise.

Overview Significant updates to the animal ordinance include the following: • Definitions • Minimum Care Standards • Confinement Standards • Dangerous or Vicious Designation • Rabies/Quarantine

Minimum Care Standards A serious omission from the previous ordinance. Dog guardians must, at a minimum, meet his/her dog’s basic need for: • Exercise • Shelter • Nutrition

Confinement Extensive improvements to this section. • General (fences, control, etc. ) • Legal access • Prohibition of fixed-point chaining • Electronic devices • Confinement during transportation • Penalties, failure to confine

Quote John Mays, director of the National Animal Control Association “Little Rock has one of the worst situations in the country that I’ve seen of backyard dogs—chained and neglected, or roaming. ”

Nutrition Minimum Care Standard 1) It shall be unlawful for any person keeping or harboring any dog to fail, refuse or neglect to provide such dog with clean, fresh potable water adequate for the dog’s size, age, and physical condition. This water supply shall be either free flowing or provided in a removable receptacle that is weighted and secured to prevent tipping. (2) It shall be unlawful for any person keeping or harboring any dog to fail, refuse or neglect to provide such dog with wholesome foodstuff suitable for the dog’s physical condition and age and in sufficient quantities to maintain an adequate level of nutrition for the dog.

Exercise Minimum Care Standard (1) The enclosure or confinement area for a dog shall encompass sufficient useable space to keep the animal in good condition. (2) When a dog is confined by means of a tether and cable run, the trolley system shall be configured to allow access to the maximum available exercise area. (3) When a dog is confined outside by means of an enclosure or an electronic containment device, the following minimum space requirements shall be met: Size of Dog Pen (increase pen size by half of total area per additional dog) Extra Large (over 75 lbs) ** sq. feet Large (50 -75 lbs) **sq. feet Medium (20 -50 lbs) **sq. feet Small (under 20 lbs) **sq. feet

Shelter Minimum Care Standard (1) Any dog that is habitually kept outside or repeatedly left outside unattended by an adult person shall be provided with a structurally sound, moisture-proof and windproof shelter large enough to keep the dog reasonably clean and dry. (2) A shelter which does not protect the dog from temperature extremes or precipitation, or which does not provide adequate ventilation or drainage, shall not comply with this section. (3) A dog’s shelter and bedding and other accessible space shall be maintained in a manner which minimizes the risk of the dog contracting disease, being injured or becoming infested with parasites.

Fixed-point Chaining Prohibition: safer for the dog and the community. • Dogs are highly social pack animals. Guardians are encouraged to bring them into their homes. • If the dog is not going to be allowed inside, an adequate fence is the next best option. A fence will allow the dog freedom of movement and the ability to exercise. • Citizens are responsible for the socialization and humane treatment of their dogs

Rabies Control Minimal revision • Immediate notification after a bite • Quarantine – 10 days – Veterinary facility within Pulaski County • State law re: vaccinations

Dangerous/Vicious Expanded section • • General compliance Grounds for dangerous/vicious designation Impoundment Designation, notice, and opportunity to contest (hearing process) • Permit required and conditions defined

Credits Local Groups: Little Rock Animal Services Task Force Little Rock City Board of Directors Little Rock Neighborhood Associations Humane Society of Pulaski County National Groups: American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals American Veterinary Medical Association Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Humane Society of the United States National Animal Control Association United States Department of Agriculture Special Thanks: LRAS Staff Volunteers and the Animals

Credits NAME, City Board NAME, Advisory Board NAME, DVM, Advisory Board NAME, Housing & Neighborhood Programs NAME, City Attorney NAME, LRAS and Advisory Board NAME, LR Animal Services NAME, City Attorney's Office NAME, Advisory Board NAME, NLR Animal Services NAME, Maumelle Animal Services NAME, CARE for Animals NAME, National Animal Control Association NAME, LRAS NAME, Advisory Board NAME, City Board NAME, DVM, Advisory Board NAME, Sherwood Animal Services NAME, Advisory Board NAME, City Attorney's Office NAME, Advisory Board

Thank you. Your organization name/logo T. J. was rescued from life on a chain.

• USE ANY OR ALL OF THESE SLIDES TO EDUCATE ABOUT CHAINING

Because dogs deserve more than life in prison…

Chaining Is Inhumane Many dogs are chained 24/7 for years

Chaining Is Inhumane Chains are often tight, tangled, and heavy

Chaining Is Inhumane Padlocks are common

Chaining Is Inhumane Chained dogs often get tangled, keeping them from shelter, food, and water

Chaining Is Inhumane Some live their lives on very short chains with little freedom to move

Chaining Is Inhumane Many chained dogs have no protection from heat, rain, & cold

Chaining Is Inhumane Many chained dogs have no protection from heat, rain, & cold

Chaining Is Inhumane Many chained dogs have inadequate shelter Oscar’s owners considered him no better than trash. He was euthanized due to a severe case of ringworm.

Chaining Is Inhumane Many chained dogs have inadequate shelter

Chaining Is Inhumane Chained dogs can’t seek better shelter

Chaining Is Inhumane Grass is beaten down, leaving hard-packed dirt & mud

Chaining Is Inhumane Chained dogs can get hung over fences and off decks, causing death. We know it’s hard to look at these photos. It hurts the dogs even more, which is why they need better laws to protect them.

Chaining Is Inhumane Chains can become embedded, causing severe pain and injury We know it’s hard to look at these photos. It hurts the dogs even more, which is why they need better laws to protect them.

Chaining Is Inhumane Chains can become embedded, causing severe pain and injury We know it’s hard to look at these photos. It hurts the dogs even more, which is why they need better laws to protect them.

Chaining Is Inhumane Many chained dogs live in unhealthy, trashy surroundings infested with parasites.

Chaining Is Inhumane Chained dogs become “part of the scenery” - forgotten and neglected

Chaining Is Inhumane • Chained dogs are vulnerable to roaming dogs and thieves – Pit bulls often stolen for fighting – Smaller dogs stolen for pit bull bait – Some people collect free/stolen dogs and sell them to research labs or lab dealers Annabelle was a very sweet dog chained near a busy street. Anyone could have taken her.

Chaining Is Inhumane Chaining can be a sign of dog-fighting – a cruel felony These dogs were part of a fighting ring in North Carolina

Chaining Is Inhumane Anti-chaining laws gives officers a tool to crack down on dog fighting without having to catch a fight in progress This chained dog was part of a dogfighting ring in Ohio

Chaining Is Inhumane Many chained dogs do not get enough food and water Pedro died of starvation after this photo was taken

Chaining Is Inhumane Many chained dogs do not get enough food and water Charlie’s owners moved away and he went a week without food

Chaining Is Inhumane Many chained dogs do not get enough food and water. How long has this bowl been empty?

Chaining Is Inhumane Many chained dogs do not get enough food and water

Chaining Is Inhumane Many chained dogs do not get enough food and water

Chaining Is Dangerous to People • Centers for Disease Control (CDC): – Chained dogs 2. 8 times more likely to bite – Dogs most likely to bite are male, unneutered, & chained – Victims are most often children

Chaining Is Dangerous to People American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): “Never tether or chain your dog because this can contribute to aggressive behavior. ” United States Department Agriculture (USDA): “Continuous confinement of dogs by a tether is inhumane. ” In 1997, USDA disallowed chaining as primary source of confinement under the U. S. Animal Welfare Act

Chaining Is Dangerous to People • Chained dogs usually unsocialized, territorial, & prone to aggression • “Fight or flight” instinct kicks in when threatened. Since can’t flee – forced to fight • Attacks often occur when a child enters territory • When an unsocialized dog breaks loose and roams, he is a danger to people • Chained dogs are rarely vaccinated, presenting disease threat

Fatal Dog Attacks by Karen Delise • Documented 109 people killed by chained dogs – 99 were children that wandered into dog’s reach – 11 attacks by dogs who broke free • Chained dogs are statistically more dangerous than free-running packs of dogs

Children Killed by Chained Dogs Tony Evans, Jr. , Age 3 Mississippi Pablo Hernandez, Age 5 Texas Abraham Jonathan Tackett, Age 2 Ft. Yukon, Alaska Zachary King, Age 7 Minneapolis, Minnesota Korie-Lyn Edwards, Age 17 months Montague Township, Canada Tiffany Pauley, Age 5 Atlanta, GA Amber Jones, Age 10 Texas Jonathan Martin, Age 2 Virginia Asia Turner, Age 4 South Carolina Robbie Shafer, Age 4 Virginia Cody, Age 3 British Columbia Kamryn Billingsley, Age 1 month Mississippi Myles Leakes, Age 4 Florida

Children Attacked by Chained Dogs Alexander Lester, Age 12 Pennsylvania, Elizabeth Stanek, Age 15 North Carolina Alisia Johnson, Age 3 Mississippi Kade Fries, Age 10 Texas Jacob Brady, Age 16 months Virginia Malik Gipson, Age 9 Illinois J'Naya Allen, Age 8 Georgia Alex Miller, Age 7 Tennessee Zachary Spafford, Age 8 Indiana Kassime Reddick, Age 9 New Jersey Trinity Robichaud, Age 5 South Carolina De. Nasha Hackner, Age 9 Indiana Maysia Moore, Age 8 Washington

Chaining makes dogs aggressive, Not protective • Protective Dog – Socialized by spending time with people – Can distinguish friend from threat – Protective dogs make the best guard dogs – K 9 officers keep their dogs inside! • Aggressive Dog – Can't distinguish between family and threat – May attack anyone who enters his territory – Chaining very often causes aggression

Dogs shouldn’t be let loose! • Dogs should be socialized and kept: ü Inside the home ü In a fenced yard • You don't have to have a fence to have a dog! ⁻ Apartment dogs are happy living inside, with walks • Many resources available for training dogs to be well -behaved family members

Owning a dog is a responsibility! Dog owners must be able to provide basic needs: Exercise Food Water Shelter Greta’s first day off her chain Shawnee learns to sit after being freed from her chain Dogs are living creatures, Not objects to be tossed in the yard like a junked car

How Can I Help? Visit Unchain. Your. Dog. org or Dogs. Deserve. Better. org Don’t be afraid to speak out! Dogs can’t speak for themselves. They are counting on you to be their voice.