In a bid to please somebody, anybody, with its proposed animal-control ordinance, Salt Lake County ended up pleasing no one.
The recently watered-down proposal angered the Utah Humane Society and other proponents of tougher animal regulations, and it fell short of pleasing animal groups and pet owners who felt the new law would stifle them.The Salt Lake County Commission listened to suggestions and condemnations during a 21/2-hour public hearing Tuesday at the Salt Lake County Complex, 2100 S. State.
"The county hasn't gone far enough," said Midvale City Council member Joanne Seghini.
"It's all or nothing," said Jack Amundsen, a member of the task force that proposed the stricter law. "This will be half an ordinance. It won't work. It's missing too many key pieces."
The proposed ordinance would apply only to unincorporated areas of the county. Salt Lake City contracts with the county for animal-control services, but county officials enforce the city ordinance within city limits, said Peggy Hinnen, director of county animal services.
Of the dozens who testified, no one stood up to say the proposed changes were just the ticket. Cat owners were horrified that the county wanted to require them to license their cats, arguing that the practice wouldn't reduce the thousands of unwanted cats euthanized each year by local shelters.
"If you can't enforce a leash law, how will you enforce cat licensing?" asked Julie Smith, a cat owner. "I won't license the cats that live in my home. If you want to track me down and make an example of me, you can. But I'll move before you do."
Veterinarians objected to the part that would require them to notify the county when a pet owner buys a license or obtains a rabies shot as a violation of the vet/client relationship. The requirement that animals impounded for the third time must be neutered or spayed also would cast the vet in the "bad guy" role, said Gary Peterson, president of the Salt Lake Veterinary Medical Association.
The commission listened quietly for most of the two hours, firing off occasional objections, witticisms and warnings against catcalls from the audience.
On Monday, the Utah Humane Society issued a press release condemning the softened ordinance. The press release referred to the society's "strong displeasure" and "deep disappointment" at proposals that "have been so drastically weakened they are virtually meaningless."
The society objected to the deletion of several requirements that would help limit the pet population in the valley. The commission eliminated requirements for breeder's permits and litter registration and hobby kennel licensing that would have forced owners to pay for the privilege of breeding animals.
But by the hearing Tuesday, the society's anger had been watered down as well. Asked why he didn't deliver the promised tongue lashing to the council, society director Gene Baierschmidt would only say, "We're willing to work with the commission if it is willing to address the issues later."
Those who didn't attend the hearing may still submit written comment on the proposals. The commission has not scheduled a date to vote on them.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The proposed law - in detail
What the new ordinance would do:
- Require cat and ferret owners to obtain rabies shots and license their pets.
- Increase license fees for unsterilized pets to $25; $5 for sterilized pets.
- Mandate that unsterilized pets impounded for the third time face mandatory spaying or neutering.
- Require owners of pets repeatedly picked up without collars to have their animals receive an identification microchip at a cost of approximately $20.
- Require veterinarians to notify the county when they give rabies shots or sell pet licenses.
- Require licensing within one month of reaching 12 weeks of age.
- Ban sale or giveaway of pets in public places by general public.
- Make it illegal to keep animals in vehicles during extreme weather.
- Continue the present limit of five animals to a household, with no more than two of one species.
What the ordinance wouldn't do:
- Reduce the number of allowed household pets.
- Require litter registration, breeder's permits and hobby kennel licensing.
- Ban kennels on less than one acre.