Posted: April 30, 2008, 5 a.m. EST
City leaders in Dallas want to tighten existing pet rules in an effort to control the cat and dog population. Proposed changes to the animal ordinance include mandatory spay-neuter, restrictions on tethering, and limits on the number of pets per household.
The spay-neuter requirement calls for all cats and dogs to be sterilized at the age of four months. Exceptions will be made if the pet owner buys an annual $500 breeder’s permit for each animal. Should the ordinance win approval, pet owners will be given 120 days to comply.
Tethering a dog as a form of restraint would be banned under the proposal, unless the owner is present. In addition, the new rules would mandate that if a dog is temporarily tethered, the dog must be fitted with collar or harness made of leather or nylon.
No more than six dogs or cats per dwelling would be allowed under the revised pet rules. Residents with more than six pets before the ordinance goes on the books would be able to keep their animals.
Longtime Dallas resident Carol Taggart says pet owners are concerned about the well-being of their animals if the city’s pet rules are altered. Instead of enacting more laws, she says, city leaders should focus on educational efforts to promote responsible ownership.
“It’s just a ridiculous thing,” Taggart said. “A law is no better than the ability to enforce it. They would have to go door to door.”
The proposed animal control measures were presented Monday to the Dallas City Council Quality of Life Committee for discussion. For more information, visit www.dallascityhall.com