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1. Global warming claims all hot air, says speaker at OU2. OU student charged with raping 17-year-old3. Police chief: City can’t stop parties before they start4. For most, the journey to Nine Fest seemed worth it5. Is another oil and gas land-rush starting in Athens?6. Parties spun by OU alums have bootie-shakers raving7. High St. student renters take on big local landlord8. Tanning parlor fights to get back into uptown Athens storefront9. Oak and Mill fests mellow down easy10. Landowners’ group renews leasing pitch11. City Council acts to ban ‘fracking’ in water supply area12. Wal-Mart asks judge to grant store win in shoplifter’s lawsuit13. Electric blue skies, May warmth frame music fest14. OU and city officials urge better fest behavior15. Pills defeated relative when no other drugs could do it16. David Alan Jones17. Local developers hoping to revive struggling hotel18. Hall of Fame baseball coach calls it a day at OU19. Festering fests; down, down deep; and the Golden Rule20. Nine Festers enjoy the sun and music, without the mud
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Home / Articles / Editorial / Letters / If you own a dog, one of the first big steps is to keep him/her on a leash
Sunday, January 22,2012
If you own a dog, one of the first big steps is to keep him/her on a leash
To the Editor:
I would like to second Alden Waitt's excellent and well-thought-out letter to the editor (The NEWS, Jan. 12) regarding community involvement with the responsibilities of owning a dog.
Bernard E. Rollins, bioethicist and professor of philosophy, animal sciences and biomedical sciences at Colorado State University, makes the excellent point that "the best canine contraceptive is a leash." Of course, this is more easily accomplished with neutered dogs. The Ohio dog laws that require dogs to be confined to the owner's property or under the direct control of the owner solve many problems when able to be enforced. The highest fines should be placed on those allowing un-neutered animals to roam at large.
Responsible dog owners can help with this enforcement by purchasing dog licenses. The Athens County Commissioners finally have taken steps in the right direction by having the dog licenses reduced for neutered dogs. However, they have allowed too many exceptions. If someone cannot afford to pay $24 for a breeding dog, they have no business breeding dogs. Done responsibly, breeding dogs is an expensive luxury, not a moneymaker.
I also feel that a family with more than five neutered animals should be able to get a kennel license. It would help with the private fostering of neutered dogs until a suitable permanent home can be found.
Jody Smith
Ohio Rt. 550
Athens
Also in Letters:
Forest Service apparently on verge of allowing oil-gas leasesWhat good does Ohio University provide to Athens community?City just encourages drunk-fests by closing traffic, recognizing eventsLet’s hope that climate change denial evaporates into stupidityFor decency’s sake, Time Warner, bring back Columbus CBS!Mitt Romney and Palmer Fest celebrants have much in commonWhy is city discriminating against people who want to rent out homes?Health commissioner is ignoring a lot of hard data that questions fluorideIf you’re disgusted by banking folly, you can express yourself locallyCity Council right to challenge state law on fracking regulation
Not only is it a great first step, it's the law.
Ohio laws require that all dogs be kept under "reasonable control" of their owner. This means on a leash while on walks, or contained to the owners residence/property when not.
I agree that if you are breeding animals you should be able to afford to have them properly licensed. But I feel the same should go towards those who foster animals.
Too many times I have seen local people who call them selves "rescues" or "dog foster homes" who are in fact hoarders. If you can not afford to license and feed an animal, then you are not able to provide them a proper foster or rescue environment. Both take time, money and much effort. And should only be done by those financially and physically able to do so.
In most cases in SE Ohio though, the local Wardens do not require short term foster homes to get the licenses for the dogs. They understand the dog may only be at the home for a matter of days before being transported.