I'm pretty sure the Carrboro aldermen passed that ordinance prohibiting dog owners from letting their pets defecate on private property (except the dog owner's private property). We attended another local government meeting that same night, so if someone knows, please fill us in.
But the discussion is not over yet. Alderman Randee Haven O'Donnell e-mailed the town manager asking for more information on the town's response to these situations, which appear to concern cats.
a) Habitually or repeatedly defecates or urinates in children’s sandboxes, gardens, flower beds or other private property without the permission of the property owner;
b) Habitually or repeatedly injures or kills animals or birds, whether domesticated or not.
The latter's something most outdoor cat owners don't think about, but it's a big problem. I remember watching a PBS special a few years back that said in some parts of England, house cats are the biggest threat to native songbirds.
I'll try to give Randee a call next week to ask what's up.
Comments
Yes
Tue, 12/30/2008 - 05:42 — eshavmI say that all pets should always be kept indoors, except for walkings on a leash, or roaming in a fenced yard by using a PetSafe Dog Door, if there happens to be one. That way nothing like the "crimes" here can happen unless someone wants them to, in which case prosecution might actually be the answer.
Regulating Pets
Sat, 10/11/2008 - 16:47 — Terri Buckner (not verified)What kind of evidence would one neighbor use against another to prove that her cat "habitually or repeatedly defecates or urinates in children’s sandboxes, gardens, flower beds or other private property without the permission of the property owner"? Are we talking DNA for cat poop? How would one prove that one cat in particular "habitually or repeatedly injures or kills animals or birds, whether domesticated or not"? Three strikes and the cat is sent to the pound for euthanasia?
We don't hold parents responsible for their children's behavior so why this fad for penalizing pet owners? I agree with the BOA that pet owners should be responsible for their pets behavior. But I disagree with their decision to enforce that responsibility with civil penalties.
Another huge problem
Sat, 10/11/2008 - 07:40 — elvisboy77being solved by our elected representatives. Thanks for tackling this.