Request from a Dallas veterinarian

[Guest guest]

Tony Lopez is in practice with Mike Escobedo at

Cornerstone Animal Clinic. They are my vets, and Tony sent this message to me

and others. I seldom post to multiple sites simultaneously, but I think the

opinions of those who provide medical care to our animals will be of interest

to most of us.

 

Please read this message and use the information to weigh

in on the pending ordinance.

*******************************************

 

Dr. Tony Lopez

[doctorlvet]

Friday, May 23,

2008 11:12 PM

Request for your help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As some of you may

be aware, there is an upcoming vote on June 20 by the Dallas City Council to

address several animal related problems. These new measures would enact

legislation to help improve both public safety and animal welfare for the city

of Dallas. Some of these problems include the threat

to public safety of unowned roaming dogs and cats including dog bites, infectious disease, and nuisance problems such as

strewn garbage and traffic problems. As important, in my opinion, would

be a new effort to stem the loss of an extremely high number of cats

and dogs killed in the Dallas shelter every year.

In 2006-2007, the City of Dallas had no choice but

to euthanize 26,979 unwanted pets.

 

 

 

 

 

These

new measures will entail the following specific changes to the Dallas city code:

 

 

 

 

 

1. enact

mandatory spay/neuter and breeder requirements;

 

 

2. eliminate

tethering as a proper restraint unless in the presence of the owner;

 

 

3. set

standards for outdoor dog enclosures to prevent escape and to provide the

dog with adequate room and access to food, water, and shelter;

 

 

4. limit

the number of dogs and cats per household; and

 

 

5. strengthen

the dangerous dog ordinance.

 

 

 

 

 

I strongly believe

these changes will improve animal welfare and public health in the City of Dallas.

The city council needs to hear from citizens in support of these changes

because there are some very vocal groups in opposition (namely, breeders

opposed to the limits on their freedom to breed dogs without any oversight or

regulation). Breeders will be able to continue breeding if they are

willing to pay a fee and meet certain criteria. Many are opposed to this

and attempting to block the passage of this legislation.

 

 

 

 

 

You can show your

support by simply clicking on the link below and adding your name and any

comments to the web site: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Dallas-Spay-Neuter

 

 

 

 

 

Even better is to

also e-mail your own city council member in support of the

legislation. You can easily find your city council member here: http://dallascityhall.com/government/council/adopted_map.html

 

 

 

 

 

And a link to the

e-mail, address, and phone for each city-council member: http://dallasanimaladvocates.wordpress.com/dallas-city-council-contact-information/

 

 

 

Please forward this

to anyone you feel might be supportive.

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony Lopez, DVM,

DABVP

 

 

Cornerstone Animal

Clinic

 

 

1456 Preston

Forest Sq

 

 

Dallas, TX 75238

 

 

927-385-3555 Ph

 

 

972-392-4520 Fax

 

 

doctorlvet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Checked by AVG.

Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.20/1452 - Release 5/17/2008 6:26 PM

 

 

Checked by AVG.

Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.20/1452 - Release 5/17/2008 6:26 PM