West Holywood dock/crop ban

[BostonRott]

There's a move afoot in West Hollywood, CA to try to ban cropping and docking (and other cosmetic surgery) on animals. Here are two links to read:

The article: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/news/020705_nw_pets.html

In case this link becomes outdated, here is the text:

WEST HOLLYWOOD — A motion banning canine tail docking, ear cropping and other cosmetic procedures on pets in West Hollywood is scheduled to be introduced at tonight's City Council meeting.
"By docking the tails of dogs or cropping their ears, animals are subjected to painful and unnecessary procedures, and someone has to stand up to this cruelty," said Mayor John Duran, the motion's sponsor.

Duran introduced West Hollywood's ordinance banning pet declawing in 2003, which he said was the first by a North American city.

"I believe the anti-declawing ordinance was the first step in addressing cruelty to animals, but we have to do more, and this proposed ordinance is the next step," Duran said.

The proposed regulation also would ban procedures meant to prevent dogs from barking, the defanging of pets and other surgeries carried out for "noncurative" reasons.

Duran said that his motion, if it passes, would be the first of its kind in the United States.

AKC's stance: http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=2415

West Hollywood, CA Considers Crop/Dock Ban
[Monday, February 07, 2005]
Attention California fanciers! At their meeting this evening, the West Hollywood City Council will consider asking the City Attorney to draft an ordinance banning ear cropping, tail docking, debarking, and other non-therapeutic procedures.

The American Kennel Club recognizes that ear cropping and tail docking, as described in certain breed standards, is an acceptable practice integral to defining and preserving breed character and/or enhancing good health. Appropriate veterinary care should be provided. We further believe that responsible dog owners, in consultation with their veterinarian, should have the right to make decisions about proper care and treatment for their pets—not the government.

Purebred dog owners worked hard to defeat a cropping and docking ban at the state level last year. Now the issue is resurfacing at the local level and could set a dangerous precedent for similar ordinances across California. Your help is needed once again!

What You Can Do:

Contact the Mayor and West Hollywood City Council Members. Urge them to oppose the ban on non-therapeutic procedures, including cropping and docking.

City of West Hollywood
8300 Santa Monica Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: (323) 848-6460
Fax: (323) 848-6562
http://www.weho.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=nav&navid=16

Mayor and City Council
The Honorable John J. Duran, Mayor
Councilmember Abbe Land
Councilmember Sal Guarriello
Councilmember John Heilman
Councilmember Jeffrey Prang


If possible, attend tonight’s meeting, which begins at 7 p.m.
For more information contact:

The Animal Council
TheAnimalCouncil@aol.com

AKC’s Canine Legislation department
Doglaw@akc.org, 919-816-3720

[LisaS]

according to the news last night, the council passed the motion to ask the city attorney to draft the ordnance - but they were not clear in the reporting as to whether that made it a done deal - or something that would be voted on again once the ordanance was written. I can't seem to find an update on the web though.

[BostonRott]

I think usually another vote is required because they often like to haggle over the exact wording of the ordinance.

[moondog]

Aren't veterinary practices governed by the state?

[LisaS]

Yes - and that was the argument of the anti-ordinance speakers (saw an excerpt on the news) - that vet practices were governed at the state level and that a city cannot dicate vet practices.

however, a couple of years ago, this same city, West Hollywood, passed a city ordinance against declawing cats - and I'm sure that the same vet practice argument was made at that time and yet the city went ahead. I'm not sure if any suits/challenges have been brought to see if it holds up or not.

[Sargeant_C]

Okay but what is so wrong with not cropping a dog's tail and stuff? Are they not wonderful with the tail? Just wondering here...

[BostonRott]

Measures preventing certain procedures are a start down the slippery slope to banning certain breeds due to them being "cruel" in that they're too far removed from "normal." It's yet another method of control of dog ownership and no one really needs that.

[godfreyc]

I'm sorry but California, along with some other states, is going to the cooks.

[Wally31]

This groups who idea of cruelty is rediculous. Part of their fight is to ban declawing cats. I wish I could have sent my cat to this guys house before he was declawed. We declawed him because it was not a matter of if, but when he would put out an eye. Human or our dogs. In some cases it is a matter of safety. If the docking was done in consistency with the breed and many breeds for hundreds of years who is this man to decide it should be stopped. I really think some things law is needed for to protect, but in many cases law is not really for public vote and should be left to preference. Some people just take things to far and are just extreamists. Why don't they just ban nuetering and spaying I am sure it hurts more than cropping and there could be arguement why do it just keep the animal away from othres in heat.

[lblax]

maybe they should stop altering there own bodies instead of worring about there animals

[ladycricket]

maybe they should stop altering there own bodies instead of worring about there animals

I agree, its a bit ironic isn't it? West Hollywood says no more cosmetic surgery (well for the dogs anyway)

[Chakas Folks]

I totally agree with lblax. Why not ban shoving silicone and saline and cologen into young girls! That to me is a bigger problem than cropping ears or docking tails. Of course, if not done by a professional, these can be hazardous to the animal, but if you are not responsible enough to take your pet to a professional, you aren't the type that deserves a pet anyway, and laws won't make a difference to you. Why not seek out those performing these procedures without a veterinary liscence? I know I am new here, but I have to express my feelings on this. That is my problem with this country, once something is deemed "wrong" by some people, everyone is condemned and those opposed must be appeased. Why not live and let live. If you are responsible you can have any dog you want, listen to any music you want, watch any kind of movie you want, etc. I thought this was the land of the free? BostonRott is correct in saying that this is another way to control dog ownership. When we had our other rottie Chyna, I was harrassed by police often about her. She was a big girl at 120 pounds. But as I'm sure you can all understand, she was a big baby, and wouldn't hurt anyone unless it was necessary. She had all her papers, tags, shots, etc, but I couldn't walk down the street with her without being stopped. Let me tell you all, that dog ssaved our daughter's life when our daughter was about 15 months old. She had managed to walk all the way up the staircase and when we found her, Chyna was standing right next to her preventing her from falling. Ironically that is the same staircase Chyna fell on and broke her neck.My point is, not all rotties or rottie owners are bad. So why punish us all? Same for those who want to crop their dog's ears or dock their tails.

[emillinium]

california gone to cooks? not in my town. and rotts with tails are beautiful!

[PuppyLove]

Lisa, have you heard anything? I haven't seen anything about this on the news, but then again I'm up to my eyeballs in mudslides and such , so haven't exactly been following the 'Beat in West Hollywood'....
I don't think they have much authority over this.