Government Technology - January 2008 - (Page 39)

“The ‘too far’ camp is using words like ‘McCarthyism,’ ‘invasion of privacy’ and ‘over-stepping our bounds.’” Elaine Lidholm, director, Office of Communication and Promotions, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Any resident of a participating commu- life changes caused by bringing an animal nity can file a complaint, but citizens don’t into the home. upload data directly. After an The registry, however, created extensive meeting between at least one unintended consethe VDACS and the attorney quence. Fearing that their pets general, it was determined might wind up on the registry, that local animal control sites some citizens have responded and other officials representby chaining their dogs, which ing animal safety would filter can trigger the very type of any and all information to be undesirable behavior the regisposted onto the site. try is meant to prevent. Fast Stats This tactic is designed to Eighteen states “Sadly we are seeing an According to the 2007-2008 National ensure that dogs aren’t placed including Virginia have a increasing number of chained Pet Owners survey, 63 percent or 71.1 on the list due to a neighbor- “one bite law,” which pro- dog attacks on people, with million U.S. households own a pet hood feud or some other tects a dog’s owner from mainly children being the — 44.8 million households own dogs, personal vendetta. By requir- being liable for the dog’s victims,” Brown said. “Chained but a total of 74.8 million dogs are ing the dogs to be declared ﬁrst biting incident. If it’s dogs are deprived of all that is owned as pets in the U.S. dangerous by a local official determined, however, natural to them and are driven Every year, nearly 4.7 million people are or court, the state hopes to that the owner was mad by confinement.” negligent or violated the bitten by dogs and about 800,000, half of reduce unnecessary blackIn fact, Lidholm said many leash law then the owner them children, seek medical attention, listing and angry feedback is held accountable. dogs wind up on the regisaccording to the Centers for Disease from residents. try because of neglect, which Control and Prevention. Dogs can be officially declared dangerous results in natural, aggressive instincts after just one biting incident. Placement on coming out strongly in the personality of Some insurance companies do not the registry is determined by a number of an otherwise loving family pet. provide homeowner’s insurance to factors, such as past owner history, known patrons who have blacklisted breeds, temperament of dog, breed characteristics such as pit bulls, chows, Siberian and number of complaints filed. Temperahuskies, Doberman pinschers, ment history, however, holds the most Once an animal lands on the registry, it’s rottweilers, Akitas, Alaskan malamutes, importance. very difficult to get off. Owners must purAmerican Staffordshire terriers, German Security technology in the form of a chase a $100,000 insurance policy; place shepherds, Great Danes and wolf hybrids. tightly monitored Web site ensures only signs in the windows of their home and truly menacing dogs appear on the registry. attach special tags to the dog’s collar. A PIN is supplied to county workers representing each jurisdiction, and the site is also password protected. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which is based in Norfolk, Va., worked closely with the VDACS on the registry. PETA Spokeswoman Laura Brown Elaine Lidholm, director, Office of Communication and Promotions, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said the registry may encourage responsible ownership practices. Requiring pet Owners of pets on the registry must update the hook for long. Other governments owners to take more responsibility for their residence information and other data — such as various counties in Florida, their dogs will help reduce the number annually. Dogs are removed from the regis- Pennsylvania and California — are folof dog attacks each year, she said. It also try when they die or their owners move out lowing suit. may promote spaying and neutering to of state. control the pet population, and inspire However, it seems leaving Virginia families to consider more thoroughly the won’t get owners of dangerous dogs off Blacklisted “The ‘not far enough’ group wants more information and details about the acts committed by the dogs, would like to see more strictures put on the owners or thinks the law is too lenient in what constitutes a dangerous dog.” 39 http://www.govtech.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Government Technology - January 2008

Government Technology - January 2008 Contents Point of View Big Picture The Last Mile On the Scene CIO Sightings Four Questions for... Spectrum Location, Location, Location Digital Governor Back to the Drawing Board Waukesha Goes Green Collaring Dangerous Dogs Public Sector Goes Web 2.0 Bounce Back SACWIS Rollout Simple Strategy Products Personal Computing How It Works signal:noise

Government Technology - January 2008

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