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7 <br /> Mr. Tom McCormick, 520 Village Woods Lane, Earlysville, said it does not make <br />sense to sterilize dogs. He said the ordinance can be improved. He said Section 415 is a <br />punitive section. <br /> <br />nd <br /> Ms. Elke Schwartz, 211 B 2 Street, N.W., thanked the committee for its work <br />and said she strongly supports the ordinance. She suggested that the tethering limit be <br />changed to three hours per day. She asked Council to consider prohibiting using animals <br />for any entertainment. She said the provision about confining in a car is important. She <br />asked that Council consider requiring that cats be neutered and spayed. <br /> <br /> Ms. Debra Thornton, Scottsville, past president of the Kennel Club, asked how it <br />will be determined that a dog has been sterilized. She supported the tethering provision. <br />She said revenue is brought to the City with dog shows. She said she does not think the <br />fee increase will make any difference. She said Council is over legislating. She said she <br />hopes the Kennel Club will be invited to be involved in the process. <br /> <br /> Ms. Tammy Londeree, 813 Locust Avenue, Apt. C, said she has found that when <br />dogs are in heat they are more aggressive. She said owning animals should be a <br />privilege. She said cat owners should also be required to neuter their cats. <br /> <br /> Ms. Mary Ann Sullivan, 2835 Penny Lane, said she does not understand why a <br />dog on her own property and under her control is more dangerous than a neutered dog. <br />She agrees that fees are not an incentive. She said she is a dog breeder and dog trainer, <br />and females in heat are not more aggressive than when not in season. <br /> <br /> As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris thanked everyone who spoke. He said there is nothing in the <br />ordinance suggesting that dog shows be outlawed or requiring neutering. He said the <br />ordinance is a consensus proposal. He said there are lots of studies suggesting that non- <br />neutered dogs are not as aggressive. He said he understands that some studies say <br />otherwise, but that is not the only reason for doing this, noting that overpopulation at the <br />SPCA is a problem. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Taliaferro about Section 4-11, Mr. Brown said <br />it is no more than a declaration of common law in Virginia and is allowed. Mr. Brown <br />said he spoke with a representative of Ringley Brothers Circus today and their only <br />concern was that there be adequate time to obtain a permit. He noted that the John Paul <br />Jones Arena is not in the City, and therefore the Circus there would not be affected by <br />this ordinance. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he would like to see the license fee for unaltered dogs higher than <br />proposed, but realizes there is a State limit. He said Charlottesville is a very dense <br />locality and there are different issues than in rural areas. He said he agrees that if cats are <br />allowed outside they should be neutered. <br /> <br /> Mr. Taliaferro said the ordinance is a step in the right direction and he supports it. <br />He said we need an education campaign to make people understand their responsibility. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said she appreciates the work of the committee, and also <br />acknowledged the passions of the people who spoke. She said she cannot really speak to <br />the research regarding neutering versus non-neutering. She said she appreciates the <br />permit requirement for circuses, which is aimed at small circuses that come to the City, <br />and she is glad to be taking action to protect those animals. She said she is happy to see <br />the tethering provision as the City has had no tools to deal with this issue before now. <br />She said she supports enforcement and an enforcement week. She said we need to do <br />something about the cat situation. She said she is willing to look at staffing and <br />increasing funds for the SPCA. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said that $10 is not much to pay for a license, and he would like <br />feedback about whether behavior changes are found to be due to the increase. He also <br />asked about the amount of revenue from the license fees. He suggested that the fee for <br /> <br />