CCP 03-28-1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. j Council of ~M 0 0 Council of Dog Clubs OQ Minnesota C) (1 . J I 'G~ , .'. ),; c: ~ ' ".', 0- , ,...;' UI March 22. 1994 Dear. Arden Hi LIs City Council Member; The Minnesota Council of Dog Clubs. Inc. (MCDC) writes this letter on behalf of the responSible dog owners of Arden Hills. We urge you not to pass the dog ordinance proposal that is on the city council agenda for March 28th. We propose that this matter be tabled at this time to allow for consideration of the model ordinance developed by MCDC which we will provide to you within the next month. The MCDC model ordinance accords fair and equitable treatment to those responsibie dog owners who are not the source of nuisance dog problems in any communi ty. . G -....~U-,~b(l'rt ~ ~ \ The model ordinance draws on the data from and the experiences of \)..<? ': ~O\r:'\; communi ties wi th successful animal control programs. Effective programs \ '0 ~v. - .#-L< target irresponsible dog owners who are the source of complaints and ~,~, nuisance problems and hold them accountable for their actions. Responsible \ ~? ~ pet owners and hobbyists are net penallzed by simplistic number limits that C~ ~t..-C- infringe on their rjght~ to enjoy the companionship of their dogs. Many of ~ these hobbyist serve the community ,yith their dogs as ambassadors to schools, nursing homes and community service agencies. Many of these dogs work in our communities as rescue dogs and canine service dogs aud their owners are active in the breeding and training programs that produce these . useful canine citizens. The puppi~s that are rained by hobby fanciers make the best pets as they hav~ been bred for good temperament and health and they are carefully placed in responsible pet-owning homes. These fanciers work closely with each puppy's new family to educate them regarding their responsibilities as good dog neighbors. In this way, hobby breeders make a positive contribution to the community. It is the behavior of irresponsible dog owners that causes problems in any community, not the number of dogs per family. We are aware of no -~ - legi tima te, se lenti fic studies linking the numbers of dogs per household with increased dog related problems in any community. Conscientious, knowledgeable dog owners can and do manage multiple dogs in their homes w1.thout causing any annoyance to their neighbors. Most fanciers keep multiple dogs to enable them to enjoy their chosen dog activities to the fullest and these responsible people should not be penalized by an artificial number limit which wIll not solve the problems created by the irresponsible owners of one or two dogs that allow their animals to roam and bark, defecate and destroy at will. We must work together to write fair and equitable dog laws based on accurate data that will penalize irresponsihle dog owners without Jim.lting the rights of those who value their dogs as ~ompanions and partners. . P.O. Box 1333 . Minnetokka, MN 55345 . 612-227-2639