The City Council today could decide whether to unleash a law that bans tying up pets outside for more than three consecutive hours — even on your own property.
While no specific incident prompted Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) to first introduce the bill in 2007, the idea of animals – specifically dogs – being left outdoors is troubling, he said yesterday.
“Tethering an animal is a form of animal abuse. It’s very bad for a dog both physically and socially,” said Vallone, who said the bill is supported by Council Speaker Christine Quinn and expects a vote as soon as today.
“We don’t expect to have police officers running around with stopwatches,” he said. “Rather, if you see an animal chained up in a junkyard for 24 hours a day, you can report it and the (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) can gather evidence.”
A first-time offender would get a warning, but a second offense would warrant a $250 fine.
Some animal lovers say the proposed law sounds like a good idea.
“When dogs are left unaccompanied for long periods of time, it’s unfair to them,” said dog owner Mark Hosny, 32, of the West Village.
James Guiliani, 43, of Dyker Heights, said he routinely rescues animals and some show signs of having been tethered for long periods of time, such as hair loss around their necks and thick calluses.
“When all you do is keep it in your yard, of course it’s going to get aggressive,” Guiliani said.
But Mahlon Goer, a founding member of the nonprofit Dog Federation of New York, said tethering dogs can be done humanely.
“If you can’t tether a dog, they may wind up loose or lost,” she said.
If you think the new leash laws are fair, then vote here:
http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/city-may-hound-owners-who-leave-pooches-tied-up-1.2617359
