AR-News: (NJ-US) Lower law puts abusive pet owners in doghouse

[Snugglezzz at aol.com]

Thursday, April 22, 2004 9:15 AM
Subject: Check this morning's AC Press and Asbury Park Press links

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/cape/042204LTPETSA21.cfm
April 22, 2004 
Lower law puts abusive pet owners in doghouse
 
By RICHARD DEGENER Staff Writer, (609) 463-6711, degener at pressofac.com

LOWER TOWNSHIP - Lower law puts abusive pet owners in doghouse

Things are looking up for Fido, Spot, Bullet and all other dogs of any name or breed under an ordinance Township Council adopted this week.

The ordinance approved in a 4-0 vote Monday night requires dog owners to take care of their pets. If they are outside, they must have a doghouse with bedding. If they are chained up, they can only be chained for nine hours within any 24-hour period.

These are just a few of the requirements under an ordinance that exceeds state regulations on such issues as animal cruelty. The ordinance was modeled after! one Galloway Township adopted earlier this year and was promoted by several animal-rights groups.

"State law requires a doghouse but no bedding. A shorthaired dog is not protected by state law," said Linda Gentille, of the Cape May County Animal Shelter Alliance, a group that lobbied for the ordinance.

Gentille said the goal is to get all 16 towns to adopt some version of the ordinance. Lower Township is the first to adopt it, but draft ordinances are making the rounds in other towns. Gentille said Sea Isle City and Ocean City are considering a version that may go a step further by not allowing a dog that has not been spayed to be chained outside.

"A lot of puppies are the result of that. If an animal is there 24 hours a day, it is vulnerable to getting pregnant," Gentille said.

The Lower Township ordinance has been dubbed "Joe's Law" after a boxer that froze to death while chained to a tree outside a Middle