In March 2004, the San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare produced draft legislation that will significantly enhance the humane treatment of all companion dogs, including sentry and guard dogs, in the City and County of San Francisco. If adopted by the City, this legislation will expand on what, at the moment, is an inadequate and vague care requirement in the existing statute. The San Francisco SPCA has strongly endorsed the proposed legislation in its entirety as a significant step in the improvement of humane care and protection for all dogs in our community.
The existing legislation, Sec. 41.12, Duties of Owners or Guardians, #3, states simply that, "The owner or guardian of any animal shall provide proper and adequate food, water, shelter, care, exercise and attention for such animals." (The statute excludes cats from these requirements.) It is clear that this legislation gives wide latitude to dog owner/guardians and allows many opportunities for neglect and abuse.
From a mere guideline in the existing legislation, the proposed legislation will now furnish a blueprint of authorized measures needed for compliance. These clear, detailed guidelines spell out the requirements in four areas: shelter, water, feeding and confinement. The proposed legislation leaves no wiggle room and will be an important aid to San Francisco Animal Care & Control officers and other law enforcement personnel in pursuing cases of dog neglect and abuse. First and second infractions will result in modest fines. Repeated infractions within a one-year period will be treated as a misdemeanor, and if there is a conviction, can result in a fine of $1,000 or a year in jail, or both.
The SF/SPCA commends the San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare for its progressive stance on this issue. San Francisco is known as the safest city in the nation in which to be a homeless dog or cat. We now have the opportunity to extend this blessing to all the dogs in our community.
In March 2004, the San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare produced draft legislation that will significantly enhance the humane treatment of all companion dogs, including sentry and guard dogs, in the City and County of San Francisco. If adopted by the City, this legislation will expand on what, at the moment, is an inadequate and vague care requirement in the existing statute. The San Francisco SPCA has strongly endorsed the proposed legislation in its entirety as a significant step in the improvement of humane care and protection for all dogs in our community.
