We welcome a proposed Jefferson City ordinance to protect pets from harmful weather conditions.
The City Council on Tuesday is scheduled to consider a proposal outlining reasonable measure pet owners must follow for pets, primarily dogs, normally kept outdoors.
Provisions include:
• The dog must have access to the owner's home through a dog door or someone must be available to let the dog inside.
• An outdoor structure must be available for the animal's shelter and protection. The structure must be suitable for the breed, age, condition and size.
• Animal control authorities will be authorized to impound at the city animal shelter any animal facing a life-threatening health condition, which includes temperatures of 30 degree and below or 90 degrees and above.
The ordinance was advanced to the council by the city's Public Safety Committee. It also was reviewed by members of the city's Animal Shelter Advisory Committee and local veterinarians.
We are keenly aware of the public sentiment regarding too much government. Respondents to a recent, national Gallup poll for the second consecutive year identified government as the major problem facing the nation.
Admittedly, some language in the ordinance has received criticism and could be improved. Although we ask council members to review and amend vague or deficient wording, we also urge them to preserve the common-sense intent of the proposal.
What we're talking about here is not egregious restrictions on residents. Instead, the proposal is designed to protect pets from harsh, potentially deadly, weather conditions.
Although the majority of pet owners are responsible and don't need an ordinance to provide humane treatment, a majority is not everyone.
For the sake of those pets who deserve better treatment than to shiver outdoor in sub-freezing temperatures this winter, we encourage City Council members to approve this ordinance.