Winter Pet Safety Cats During the winter, cats that are outside look for warm places to sleep. Many times they will find shelter under the hood of a vehicle like your car. The cat could be injured or possibly killed if the engine is started. It is a good idea to bang on the hood or make loud noises before you start any vehicle. Dogs Dogs often lose their scent in the snow and can become lost or confused. Make sure they always wear their ID tags. If you normally groom your dog and keep their hair cut short, be sure to let it grow longer in the winter. This is especially true if they are outside only pets. If you house your pet outside, be sure they have adequate shelter. A dog house with plenty of blankets and that is small enough to retain heat is ideal Dog Tethering Bill Passed by Governor Schwarzenegger Starting January 1st, 2007, SB 1578 prohibits dog owners from the cruel practice of tethering their pets to a stationary object for more than 3 hours a day. Dog owners can be cited if their dog is tied up for any extended period. Tethering a dog will result in an infraction or misdemeanor, depending on the offense, punishable by a fine not to exceed $1000 per dog and/or up to six months in the county jail. "This bill helps protect dogs from cruelty, and enhances public safety by preventing aggressive animal behavior that can result from inhumane tethering," says Governor Schwarzenegger. Keeping dogs chained is inhumane and a threat to the safety of the confined dog, and other animals and humans. Dogs that are chained develop physical and psychological problems. Owners that keep their dogs on a chain are less likely to clean the area of waste. Frequently chained dogs suffer from sporadic feedings and empty water bowls. In addition, dogs that are kept continuously chained become neurotic,unhappy and often are aggressive---to neighbors, other animals, and often even toward their owners. Lt. Steve Knight head of Animal Control for Humboldt County says, "Dogs that are chained up all their lives often develop health and behavioral problems. It is unfair for a dog to live like that. It can even create a dangerous situation where the dog becomes abnormally protective of what little space it has. The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office has already begun actively enforcing this new law." Unfortunately, many dog owners are not aware of this new law and will probably continue the practice of tying or chaining their dog to a doghouse, fence, tree, etc. You can help by telling your friends and neighbors about the new regulations, and by calling your local animal control agency if you know of any animals that are being tied up for long periods. For information about this new law call the Animal Control Agencies in your area. Trinity County Animal Control 623-1370 or the Sheriff 623-2611 Humboldt County 445-7251 Blue Lake 668-5895 Eureka 441-4060 Ferndale 786-4224 Fortuna 725-7552 Rio Dell 764-5754 Trinidad 677-0223 A Note About Dogs Trinity County Animal Control Officer, Christine Edwards, says, "What dog owners need to remember, is if their dog damages someone's property, or attacks another animal or person, that owner is criminally responsible for a misdemeanor, with possible fines, a jail sentence, and the cost of all damages. With a bite, they will most likely loose all homeowners insurance, and have to get rid of the dog in order to get new insurance. The dog can be taken away, and possibly euthanised. People who have been attacked, or their animals attacked, or even harassed, should file a report of the incident so it can be put in the record. An attack doesn't need a bite or an injury to be filed. And if you even just warn or complain to a neighbor about their dog, call the sheriff to have that put in the record. Animal control will call the dog's owner and verify your complaint." Additionally, a dog owner can be sued in civil court. California imposes strict liability on the owner of a dog, and a dog does not get one free bite. The dog bite statute says the risk of a dog unexpectedly biting a person is to be borne by the person who has chosen to own that dog, even when the owner is not at fault in any way and has no reason to know that the dog is vicious. The statute is designed..."to prevent dogs from being a hazard to the community."