Good news for dogs in Miami
April 11th, 2008 by admin
Yesterday, the City of Miami became the latest municipality in Florida to restrict the chaining of dogs. The City Commission voted unanimously to approve an ordinance to make it “unlawful for a responsible party to tether a dog while outdoors,” except when the dog is “visible to the responsible party at all times and the responsible party is outside with the dog.”
Miami joins the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Dania Beach, Wilton Manors, Hollywood, Oakland Park and Pembroke Park in restricting the tethering or chaining of dogs. Orange County, Palm Beach County and Okaloosa County have similar ordinances.
Continuous chaining is bad for dogs. Dogs are very social animals who suffer from isolation. Chained dogs are much more likely to become aggressive. In addition, dogs confined on chains are at risk of becoming tangled and injured, are more likely to have skin problems and problems with parasites, and are often exposed to bad weather. The Preamble to Miami’s new ordinance notes: “improper tethering and care of dogs is atrocious and made worse by the extreme heat in South Florida” and “improper tethering of dogs is problematic, injurious and can be life threatening to dogs.”
Please thank the City Commission for their compassionate vote. Send a special thank you to Commissioner Sanchez for his leadership in pushing the ordinance.
Contact:
Commissioner Angel Gonzalez
E-mail: agonzalez@ci.miami.fl.usCommissioner Marc Sarnoff
E-mail: msarnoff@miamigov.comCommissioner Joe M. Sanchez
E-mail: jsanchez@ci.miami.fl.usCommissioner Tomas P. Regalado
E-mail: tregalado@ci.miami.fl.usCommissioner Michelle Spence-Jones
E-mail: MSpence@ci.miami.fl.usApproach your city or county commissioners about enacting an ordinance to prohibit the cruel chaining of dogs. Often all it takes is one outspoken individual to make a positive change for animals. ARFF can help by providing you with model ordinances, and by mobilizing compassionate individuals in your community.