Posted
1/13/2005 05:09:00 PM
by Douglas
It's days like this that make me wish I lived in San Francisco. Where else in the country could we find elected officials so diligently protecting the rights of animals that they've set up building codes for
dog houses?The "backyard dog" ordinance, which is due for a final vote today, aims to "insure the humane treatment" of all dogs by tightening what have been ill- defined standards for sheltering and confining outdoor pets, most notably sentry and guard dogs.
For example, dog owners are now merely required to provide "proper" shelter -- at times that has meant a tarp to deflect rain while the dog lies belly-deep in mud. Such vagueness has made it nearly impossible to enforce laws against animal cruelty. The new law mandates a dry, off-the-ground shelter large enough for the dog to sit in.
Those are some lucky dogs out there in SanFran. So now when they're licking their own genitals and eating their own poo, they'll be safe from the harsh San Francisco weather.