The Obligations of Dog Ownership

Owning a dog involves a number of social, legal and moral responsibilities, and if an owner is unable to meet those responsibilities, then he or she shouldn’t own a dog.

However, laws alone cannot ensure that the social, legal and moral obligations of dog ownership are met, but those laws can be reinforced to do a lot more than they’re currently doing.

Real solutions depend on all owners providing proper care for their dogs and accepting full liability for their pets’ actions and not running from that liability. When your dog bites someone you have a moral obligation to give your correct name and address and not try to weasel out of it. You also have a moral obligation to give assistance to the victim.

Many cities have laws that require dogs to be leashed when they are in public areas. In Los Angeles County this is mandatory, and it must be made mandatory in every county in California as well as America. Even in communities without leash laws, owners must never allow their dogs to run free. There are more than 1 million serious dog bites in the United States each year.

Inconsiderate owners create unsanitary and unsightly conditions by allowing their dogs to have bowel movements on sidewalks, lawns and in parks. Heavier fines must be leveled against these offenders.

Our local governmental bodies and state Legislature should take the following steps immediately:

1. Require all dog owners to carry at least $100,000 in liability insurance specifically for their dog, and carry a card on their person stating they possess this insurance, or immediately take their dog ownership privileges away, leveling a stiff fine against them.

2. Make it mandatory in every county in California that all dogs must always be leashed and a heavy fine imposed if the dog isn’t.

3. Require every city in California to have large dog runs only for dogs and their owners, and that dogs not be allowed to mix in with children at parks and beaches, making innocent children fair game for dogs.

4. Immediately increase fines for breaking laws regarding the control of dogs.

5. Increase funding to animal regulators in each city within California.

The safety of all human beings is more important than dogs.

ARNOLD LUTZ

Torrance