A Times Editorial

Sensible law protects pets

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 27, 2000

Few issues are as contentious for local government as passing laws affecting the family pet. But the health and safety problems caused by irresponsible pet owners and breeders are too great for government to ignore. Luckily for the Hillsborough County Commission, a group of dedicated citizens has taken the lead and crafted a sensible pet law the commission should pass.

The measure promotes animal welfare while striking a fair balance between public safety and personal rights. Not every person who owns a pet should, which is why the law requires pet owners to vaccinate, adequately house and supervise their dogs and cats.

The changes are major only for owners and breeders who mishandle pets. Dogs must be harnessed when riding in open vehicles, poop must be scooped and pets cannot be a nuisance or threat to humans. Mechanisms in the law will encourage neighbors to resolve disputes more quickly and satisfactorily. Fines would be cut for first-time offenders who seek to learn from their mistakes.

Hillsborough's law recognizes the need to put animal welfare first, in part by cracking down on sham breeders, raising standards for licensed kennels and making it easier to trace and return impounded pets.

Those who have suffered the loss of a missing pet will appreciate the ease of having their pets fitted with a tag by a veterinarian. The ordinance also raises the cost of adopting an animal from the county shelter, which is reasonable and likely to curb the "throw-away" mentality of some pet owners who abandon or mistreat their adopted pet.

The animal advisory committee deserves credit for recognizing the humane treatment of animals as both a moral and a public health concern. And the county administrator, Dan Kleman, is right to describe the measure that goes before commissioners Wednesday as "an epidemic of common sense." It deserves passage.

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