Marty
08-02-2005, 12:49 PM
Rocky Mount, NC --
The N.C. General Assembly has its heart in the right place with a proposal that would make the owners of animals caught dogfighting responsible for boarding the animals at shelters.
As it stands, animal shelters across the state have to board dangerous dogs until their owners can be tried. That can take a year or more, sometimes, resulting in bills that can run into the thousands of dollars.
Because of space limitations, the shelters sometimes must euthanize animals that could otherwise be adopted, while the owners of dangerous animals await trial. That isn't fair to animals, the shelters or taxpayers who often foot the bill when the owners of dangerous dogs won't.
Dogfighting is one of the cruelest activities a human can encourage in animals. Anything that can be done to make the owners of such animals feel a financial pinch is a good move.
Under legislation that has passed the N.C. House but has stalled in the N.C. Senate, owners of such animals would be responsible for the bills as soon as the animals are turned over to the shelters. If the owners can't pay the bills, then it will be their dogs that will be considered for euthanasia, not stray animals taken in by the shelter.
That makes sense for a lot of reasons. Let's hope the Senate thinks so, too.
The N.C. General Assembly has its heart in the right place with a proposal that would make the owners of animals caught dogfighting responsible for boarding the animals at shelters.
As it stands, animal shelters across the state have to board dangerous dogs until their owners can be tried. That can take a year or more, sometimes, resulting in bills that can run into the thousands of dollars.
Because of space limitations, the shelters sometimes must euthanize animals that could otherwise be adopted, while the owners of dangerous animals await trial. That isn't fair to animals, the shelters or taxpayers who often foot the bill when the owners of dangerous dogs won't.
Dogfighting is one of the cruelest activities a human can encourage in animals. Anything that can be done to make the owners of such animals feel a financial pinch is a good move.
Under legislation that has passed the N.C. House but has stalled in the N.C. Senate, owners of such animals would be responsible for the bills as soon as the animals are turned over to the shelters. If the owners can't pay the bills, then it will be their dogs that will be considered for euthanasia, not stray animals taken in by the shelter.
That makes sense for a lot of reasons. Let's hope the Senate thinks so, too.