2006-11-06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6 Mr. Jock Yellott, 311 E. Market St. #4, thanked the City Attorney for his work and approach on the ordinance. He said that while there may be some people who have not been heard, he suggested that any tinkering to the ordinance be done between the first and second reading. Ms. Catherine Emanuel, 3036 Berkmar Drive, said that sexual attributes of a dog should not define them as a public nuisance. She said responsible pet owners should not be punished. She said several studies were not considered in the drafting of the ordinance. She referred to one study that said that aggression is not corrected by neutering, and it only corrects wandering. Mr. Robert Kane, Madison County, President of the Virginia Hunting Dog Association, said he would like to both compliment and criticize the ordinance. He said the provision to cover dogs as property is an improvement. He said those provisions that do now follow State law are poorly advised, including the differential leash law for neutered dogs and permit for a traveling circus. He said there is no justification for the statement that sexed dogs are more aggressive, and he feels that provision should be dropped. He said that Section B in the personal property provision should be dropped because it has been rejected in the General Assembly. Ms. Suzanne Kogut, 3392 Fredericksburg Road, Executive Director of the SPCA and committee member who helped draft the ordinance, said she is happy to see the tethering provision. She noted that the licensing fee has remained the same for many years. She said it is more an incentive to encourage people to spay and neuter. She said she hopes Council will consider the ordinance. Responding to a question from Ms. Hamilton, Ms. Kogut said the cost to spay an animal at the SPCA is $20, depending on the income of the owner, or free if it is a pit bull. Mr. Taliaferro asked where the limit of 10 hours for tethering came from, noting that it may be a little long, and Ms. Kogut said it came from other cities in Virginia. Ms. Amy Woolard, 809 Belmont Avenue, Vice President of the Virginia Animal Law Society, a member of the committee, said she feels the ordinance will help protect animals and residents. She said the tethering limit is important. She said she feels attacks are more likely to occur if dogs are not neutered and said the research supports this. She said the proposed license fees are in line with other localities. Ms. Holly Hatcher, 211 Meade Avenue, a member of the committee, said her dog was attacked by an unleashed, unaltered dog. She said the ordinance will prevent attacks and makes owners accountable. She said she also supports adding signage at the parks, a public education campaign, better enforcement, and increased funds for an additional officer. She also supported doubling the City’s allocation to the SPCA. nd Ms. Nathan Daugherty, 207-D 2 Street, N.W., said he is a new dog owner. He said he thinks the main issue is to start a culture of responsibility for owners. He said he does not think there is much reason to have a dog off-leash at all except in a park. Mr. Bill Emory, 1604 E. Market Street, applauded the work on the ordinance, and said he is very much in support of it. He noted that when there was increased police presence at Riverview Park people complied with the leash law. He said community policing helps. Ms. Pam Dent, 2014 Hollins Road, former president of the Charlottesville- Albemarle Kennel Club, said she taught behavior classes for dogs and found no difference in neutering and aggression. Instead she said it is due to the owners, past experiences, and inheritance. She said dog owners are being punished by increasing fees. She asked that the ordinance be revisited as she does not think it will accomplish what the City wants.