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midnight

(26,624 posts)
Tue Apr 7, 2015, 11:52 AM Apr 2015

Dogs killed over unpaid fines

"In a number of cities across the country, animal control agencies are aggressively going after pet owners with big fines for small violations. Some hold people's pets until they settle their bills, even if it means they end up killed. Others leave the dogs alone but issue arrest warrants for owners who can't pay up.
We didn't only lose our pet. We lost a family member."

The infractions can include failing to license a pet, owning a dog that barks a lot, or accidentally letting an animal get loose in the neighborhood. But the penalties are serious, often amounting to hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
So are the consequences. When owners of seized or lost dogs can't afford to get their pets back, they relinquish their rights to the animal, which can result in a pet being euthanized. Meanwhile, a CNNMoney analysis of active warrants from a sampling of 15 cities and counties across the country found thousands of outstanding warrants for small pet-related offenses.


My dogs were seized and it cost me thousands
Outraged pet owners and animal rights attorneys say these harsh tactics are all about generating money and unfairly impact low-income Americans.

http://money.cnn.com/interactive/pf/pet-fines/?iid=Lead


43 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Dogs killed over unpaid fines (Original Post) midnight Apr 2015 OP
This is sick and sad Gothmog Apr 2015 #1
I agree. A family pet is a family member. midnight Apr 2015 #2
OK Plucketeer Apr 2015 #25
What did the animal do wrong that it deserves death? merrily Apr 2015 #3
This is grotesque & inhumane for the animals & families. Another example of how our country is appalachiablue Apr 2015 #4
This message was self-deleted by its author appalachiablue Apr 2015 #5
What is the fine for letting your... Omaha Steve Apr 2015 #6
Bingo! valerief Apr 2015 #7
+1 daleanime Apr 2015 #8
animal control on Wall Street, Jamie Diamon, with a catch pole irisblue Apr 2015 #18
Not...too...big...to...Jail appalachiablue Apr 2015 #26
Yes. That fine should bring in some big money.... midnight Apr 2015 #41
Yet cats roam free to wreck havoc on the environment dbackjon Apr 2015 #9
In the small town where my mother lives, outdoor cats Surya Gayatri Apr 2015 #11
Yet cats roam free to wreck havoc on the environment AlbertCat Apr 2015 #13
where do you live that dog poop is so deep? irisblue Apr 2015 #19
Too funny.... midnight Apr 2015 #39
The animals I see wrecking havoc on the environment are homo sapiens. Arugula Latte Apr 2015 #21
Thank you. narnian60 Apr 2015 #24
I second that. midnight Apr 2015 #40
Not surprising. Most animal shelters have worse morals than Ferguson, MO. jtuck004 Apr 2015 #10
Poor?... tk2kewl Apr 2015 #12
This is dognapping. "If you ever want to see Fido again..." Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2015 #14
I agree. midnight Apr 2015 #35
I'm getting ready to call animal control SheilaT Apr 2015 #15
I don't believe most municipalities go to such extremes Major Nikon Apr 2015 #17
Or they can just shoot loose dogs on the spot. ErikJ Apr 2015 #20
Animal control is a necessity Major Nikon Apr 2015 #22
What a horrible thing to have to witness. midnight Apr 2015 #36
Just make sure you complain about the right dog owner. pnwmom Apr 2015 #23
Oh, trust me. Everyone on this block knows exactly SheilaT Apr 2015 #27
We once had a neighbor who kept his German Shepherd outside in their backyard, pnwmom Apr 2015 #31
Jeez. That's a good recipe for the daughter SheilaT Apr 2015 #32
Just as long as there's a rule pnwmom Apr 2015 #33
Lucky for my neighbors SheilaT Apr 2015 #34
I couldn't get mad at them, but in our first house our bedroom window pnwmom Apr 2015 #42
Our county has NO noise ordenance fasttense Apr 2015 #28
Recurring barking dogs and loose wandering pitbulls understandable ErikJ Apr 2015 #16
The city needs money! Helen Borg Apr 2015 #29
I know that is clear. I'm hoping someone with more money than they know what to do with it will midnight Apr 2015 #37
If that starts happening in my community get the red out Apr 2015 #30
Is that beautiful dog pic yours? midnight Apr 2015 #38
Yes get the red out Apr 2015 #43
 

Plucketeer

(12,882 posts)
25. OK
Tue Apr 7, 2015, 02:31 PM
Apr 2015

so, for years now we've put up with a neighbor who refuses to keep his "family members" in check. Even though we HAVE leash laws here, they (the neighbors) don't try to keep their dogs in check. And it's NOT just a matter of having their dogshit in my yard. It's a matter of one of their dogs challenging and attempting to bite ME/US on our property as well as trying to bite folks that innocently stroll down the street. Recently, the eldest kid watched and laughed as their dog tried to bite my ankles in MY front yard.
The other of their "family members" barks - INCESSANTLY - at me whenever it sees me or even senses I'm outside. Is it just being a good watchdog or is it cause I've had to chase it away from our chicken coops repeatedly. I shouldn't have had to do that, but now that I've established myself as it's antagonist, it refuses to shut up - and we're not just talking about a few barks and it goes back to it's porch. We're talking incessant deep woofing even for ten minutes or more after I come back into the house. And this mutt only barks at ME - no other neighbors.
These neighbors are really belligerent ass hats. We haven't spoken in years. But the last time I warned them I was going to take action (a written note in their mail box), they wrote back that I should go F myself. So school me about the compassion I should ooze for their family members. Hell, I watched one day and the "man" of that household tried repeatedly to run down his teenage sun with a pickup truck! So just how will I adroitly effect relief from a jerk like that???
We've got ONE Animal Control officer for this whole, huge, environment-diverse county. The guy only shows if someone's been bitten or there's a large animal (cow - horse) on the loose.
I agree that folks should not be squeezed financially. But here, they usually get a warning the first time - after that, they're gonna get fined or maybe even lose the pet. Consider the cost of running their truck(s), housing the animal for whatever amount of time - AND feeding it. Factor in someone to tend it and clean up the facilities after it's gone home or wherever, the folks in the front office that do all the very necessary paperwork and legal mumbo-jumbo - and why should they work for minimum wages because some jerk's let his animals run free? You take on pets - YOU take on the responsibility for their actions. At least, that's the way it ought to be. It's not just a matter of "Awwww - poor doggie." It's serious business. We're pet owners ourselves (parrots) and we take full responsibility for our charges.

appalachiablue

(41,055 posts)
4. This is grotesque & inhumane for the animals & families. Another example of how our country is
Tue Apr 7, 2015, 12:30 PM
Apr 2015

descending into the most predatory, exploitive practices in search of revenue, money which far too many are unaware of, mainly from the corporate dominated media. Kudos to the animal rights activists for their involvement and CNN Money's efforts.

Response to midnight (Original post)

Omaha Steve

(99,073 posts)
6. What is the fine for letting your...
Tue Apr 7, 2015, 12:47 PM
Apr 2015

Wall St banker run lose on the economy? I don't remember them getting jail time.

irisblue

(32,829 posts)
18. animal control on Wall Street, Jamie Diamon, with a catch pole
Tue Apr 7, 2015, 02:11 PM
Apr 2015

doing a perp walk.....a screwed over American can dream right?

 

AlbertCat

(17,505 posts)
13. Yet cats roam free to wreck havoc on the environment
Tue Apr 7, 2015, 01:24 PM
Apr 2015

Well, at least were not up to our eyeballs in dog shit.


Oh.... and cats cannot kill a person. (even if they wanted to)

 

jtuck004

(15,882 posts)
10. Not surprising. Most animal shelters have worse morals than Ferguson, MO.
Tue Apr 7, 2015, 01:13 PM
Apr 2015

They are run to make a department bigger, create municipal jobs, sometimes for personal gain. Almost never to help people with their pets in their homes. The animals pay the price, and that is why we are still killing 4-6 million a year killed, a number that hasn't changed much in the past 30 years. And it won't change until we pretend that what is happening is effective for anyone but a few two-legged monsters.

Makes the word "shelter" a cruel joke.

 

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)
15. I'm getting ready to call animal control
Tue Apr 7, 2015, 01:47 PM
Apr 2015

on the neighbors whose dogs bark day and night. Somehow, that's not very charming. I live across the street and it's beyond annoying. There need to be some sort of sanctions against such things. If licenses are required (and lots of municipalities don't require them), then the owners need to get them.

While too many people do let their cats roam, most don't, at least not in the cities I've lived in most recently. In addition, they don't meow incessantly, waking people up at all hours.

It is wrong to have large enough fines (hundreds, thousands of dollars?) for something as small as unlicensed pet, and it does seem unreasonable to seize and then destroy the pet. Although, to be honest (and I'm sure I'll get called out on this) it would not break my heart if the barking dogs were to suddenly not be there any more. Ever again.

Major Nikon

(36,814 posts)
17. I don't believe most municipalities go to such extremes
Tue Apr 7, 2015, 02:09 PM
Apr 2015

Mine certainly doesn't. However, the reason cities need animal control is because of irresponsible pet owners and someone has to pay for that.

 

ErikJ

(6,335 posts)
20. Or they can just shoot loose dogs on the spot.
Tue Apr 7, 2015, 02:14 PM
Apr 2015

Like they do in some poor countries. I saw this happen in Turkey when I was waiting on my bus to leave the town square.

Major Nikon

(36,814 posts)
22. Animal control is a necessity
Tue Apr 7, 2015, 02:16 PM
Apr 2015

Some poor countries have to choose between feeding people or feeding stray animals. That's not really the case here.

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
23. Just make sure you complain about the right dog owner.
Tue Apr 7, 2015, 02:17 PM
Apr 2015

We had a neighbor call us after midnight, waking us up, to complain about our dog barking under his window. I told him both our dogs were in bed with us. He said, "Then WHO is barking under my window???"

How was I supposed to know? There are plenty of dogs in our neighborhood, but this neighbor always assumed any barking was one of ours because we're next door. Since no one has fencing, however, it could be anyone's dog.

 

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)
27. Oh, trust me. Everyone on this block knows exactly
Tue Apr 7, 2015, 02:45 PM
Apr 2015

who the offending neighbor is.

I have gotten so that I more and more dislike dogs. Too many people don't do basic obedience training. Too many people let them run loose. And I have zero sympathy for the owner of any dog (or cat) allowed to run loose that gets hit by a car. I feel terribly sorry for the animal, of course.

One of the things I most dislike about dog owners (and this isn't very closely connected to the OP, I know) is that too many of them will take their dogs where anyone bringing a toddler would be severely and openly criticized. Closely connected to that is that most dog owners assume that everyone adores their dog, even the worst-behaved ones.

I wouldn't take my cat to a restaurant, not even to the patio seating and I don't expect you to adore my cat. Let's have the same limitations for the dogs. I don't let my cat roam freely. Don't let your dog roam. My cat does not keep anyone awake at night by her meowing. See to it the same goes for your dog's barking.

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
31. We once had a neighbor who kept his German Shepherd outside in their backyard,
Tue Apr 7, 2015, 03:27 PM
Apr 2015

Last edited Tue Apr 7, 2015, 04:13 PM - Edit history (2)

day and night, so we know how annoying barking can be. I did call animal control but nothing ever happened. I also called animal control once when another large dog regularly chased my daughter on her bike. The officer came by and told my 8 yr. old daughter she needed to learn to stand up to the dog!

 

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)
32. Jeez. That's a good recipe for the daughter
Tue Apr 7, 2015, 06:22 PM
Apr 2015

to get seriously injured by the dog.

I think animal control in most places should have something akin to a no tolerance rule. Neighbors complain about a barking dog once, the owner gets notified. After at most the third complaint, the dog gets removed. And to all of you who think your vindictive neighbors will see to it that your sweet little dog who hardly ever barks, really, gets removed, please be on notice. You may not mind your barking dog, but your neighbors do.

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
33. Just as long as there's a rule
Tue Apr 7, 2015, 06:28 PM
Apr 2015

that after the third complaint for humans violating the noise rules -- with construction or lawn mowing or chain-sawing (or whatever) outside allowable hours -- they get "removed" too.



What I finally discovered was that ear plugs are very useful for sleeping with neighbors nearby, whatever noises they make.

 

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)
34. Lucky for my neighbors
Tue Apr 7, 2015, 08:49 PM
Apr 2015

I'm never doing construction or mowing a lawn!

But yes, there should be sanctions for people who do those things.

I will admit, I've encouraged a neighbor with a motorcycle to pull up onto her driveway at about 3am and rev the engine. He's too nice a guy to do it.

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
42. I couldn't get mad at them, but in our first house our bedroom window
Tue Apr 7, 2015, 10:22 PM
Apr 2015

was about ten feet away from the neighbors' driveway. And he had to get up for work every morning at 5:30 and turn on that car. And in the winter he'd leave it there, warming it up.

That's when we learned to survive with earplugs.

 

fasttense

(17,301 posts)
28. Our county has NO noise ordenance
Tue Apr 7, 2015, 02:47 PM
Apr 2015

So, we listen to our neighbor's dogs, all 3 , all night. Then we get to hear their son ride his motorcycle without a muffler most afternoons. Noisy inconsiderate neighbors sometimes deserve large fines.

 

ErikJ

(6,335 posts)
16. Recurring barking dogs and loose wandering pitbulls understandable
Tue Apr 7, 2015, 01:55 PM
Apr 2015

A recurring barking neighbor dog can literally torture the whole neighborhood. And a loose pitbull can kill small pets with one chomp.
So I can understand some places might have to crack down. I've had some dog license fines of my own but they just say get it waived by buying a license.

midnight

(26,624 posts)
37. I know that is clear. I'm hoping someone with more money than they know what to do with it will
Tue Apr 7, 2015, 09:12 PM
Apr 2015

create another alternative to this.

get the red out

(13,459 posts)
43. Yes
Wed Apr 8, 2015, 06:57 AM
Apr 2015

And thank you, we think she is a doll, Queen of our home and my hubby and I spoil her rotten. She is one hell of a good agility competitor too! You can see I love to go on about our Layla.

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