Chaining Limited in St. Paul, Minnesota

Gloria Zaiger, a Dogs Deserve Better volunteer, told Tammy in July that she was going to do something about the chaining in St. Paul. Then she went out and did it! Many kudos to Gloria, and the dogs are thanking her about now too.

From the Twin Cities.com website:

Ordinance to limit pet chaining OK'd

An ordinance barring pet owners from chaining an animal to a post for more than two hours won unanimous approval Wednesday at the St. Paul City Council.

Council Member Lee Helgen put the measure forward as a way to protect animals and a way to combat nuisance pets. He said dogs that are chained for extended periods often become noisy and aggressive.

"I don't think it's going to be a problem for almost everyone who's a responsible dog owner," Helgen said.

Under the ordinance, animals cannot be restrained by a "chain, tether or other tie-out device" to "any stationary object for more than two consecutive hours without at least a two-hour rest or relief period between each chaining."

The measure allows animals to be restrained by properly designed pulley and kennel systems. Pet owners who violate the tethering limit could face fines ranging from $50 to $300. The ordinance will take effect 30 days after being published in a legal notice, which is expected within two weeks.

— Robert Ingrassia

Tips from Gloria Zaiger:

The first phone call I made was to our local animal control folks. They would be the one's enforcing it, so having there support and input was crucial. I think that swayed the city council more than anything. I was lucky to have Animal Control totally supportive - they felt that though it would be more work in the short run, it would eventually lead to fewer calls in the future. So do all you can to talk to them. Our local Animal Control officer actually wrote the final version of the ordiance, so it would be just as he wanted it.

You may want to contact the hunting groups too, to get their input. At least then you can prepare for what their objections will be, and maybe even get their support if you make them
feel a part of the process.

Make sure you stress that other cities have passed this type of ordinance. If you go to Dogs Deserve Better, they gave me some cities. I used New Orleans - which has a total ban, and Witchita, KS, which has a ban very similar to what passed here. Making the Council feel that they're part of a bigger idea seemed to help. And now you can include St Paul as an example! If you can find anything in your area, that would be even more persuasive.

This ordinance is primarily a tool to address dogs that live their lives on a chain, and someone has made Animal Control aware of it.

Stress the people nuisance aspects - like biting and barking, that comes from chained dogs. The humane aspect is what drives people like you and me, but the City Council always stressed the people aspect when talking about passing it.

Gloria

Contact Info: Dogs Deserve Better, Inc. • P.O. Box 23 • Tipton, PA 16684 • Toll Free 1.877.636.1408 • 814.941.7447
email: info@dogsdeservebetter.com • Website designed and maintained by Crescent Communications