Tips
on How to Go About Changing Laws Regarding Chaining of Dogs and
Other Issues
By Dianne Lawrence
After
wringing my hands and feeling horrible about two dogs in my neighborhood
who were living their lives on the end of a leash, I decided
to actually do something about it. I had tried to talk to the
owner, whose only relationship to them was to come out in the morning
and feed them (she carried a stick to hit them back when they tried
to jump up on her) but she wouldn’t let me find a home for
them. “My daughter gave them to me” was her reason for
keeping them.
I
decided that the laws needed to be changed. I wanted it to be
illegal to keep a dog tied up all the time. I read the laws for
the city and the state regarding the legal requirements for dog
care and found them woefully inadequate, contradictory, unclear
and vague. I was convinced the reason these laws existed was because
no one had taken the time to update them. They were obviously based
on outmoded ways of thinking about animal care. The time was right
to address them. I was convinced that all it just needed was someone
to pay attention to the issue. I began three years ago in 1999.
Within
the next two months at the beginning of 2003 two of the laws that
I helped create with Animal Regulation in the City of Los Angeles
will be presented to City Hall for a vote. It is a complete
set of legal requirements for the care of dogs subjected to backyard
living and guard dogs in commercial environments. 24 hour a day
7 day a week tethering will not be allowed. The struggle isn’t
over as I write this but all things considering the time was right
and it has moved steadily although slowly forward. By the end of
the year we should have some substantial changes in the laws.
The
following are tips to guide you should you decide to roll up your
sleeves and make some changes in the laws of your town. You can
do it. All it takes is:
Persistence.
A project like this will take time. Be committed to following it
through. Don’t think about how long or how much but rather
what is the next thing you need to do. Stay focused on doing things
one step at a time.
Research.
The first step is to research the existing laws in your county and
state. Internet research is very fruitful. What is the problem with
the already existing laws? Are they unclear, vague? What would you
change? I cut and pasted the laws onto a blank document and then
inserted my comments in italicized letters after the section I disagreed
or had a problem with. It clarified the problem and the solution.
The next thing to research is how to go about creating a new law
or amend an existing law. A simple call to a City Hall clerk or
your local representatives office should help. Are there regular
meetings of your local animal regulation board that the public can
attend?
Patient
beating of the drum. I attended Animal Regulation meetings
where the public was allowed to speak on any issue for three minutes.
I went once or twice a month for 1-1/2 years before they finally
took me seriously. I used the Chinese water drip method. I was patient,
polite, persistent and provided great documentation and clarity
about the problem and solution…over and over and over. Don’t
rant and rail and make everyone uncomfortable. That was the biggest
problem I saw with other peoples presentations. Or they would come
once, complain and no one would ever see them again. They didn’t
realize that their issue wasn’t the only issue the committee
had to deal with. The squeaky wheel really does eventually get addressed.
Don’t
let others discourage you. Whenever someone told me I
should do other things, that there were other more important issues,
that I would never be listened to….I would get a polite smile
on my face and a blank stare in my eye and thank them for sharing
and walk away. Don’t argue with them. They might discourage
you.
Don’t
let others co-opt your effort. As you begin to build
up steam other people might show up who want to jump on. It is good
to have support but be careful of who you let in the door. Make
it clear they are helping you. Some will want to take over and they
are time wasters. But be open to wise council and useful guidance.
Treat the people who do have the power to help you, with respect
and patience.
If you want something done…do it yourself. Or at least stay
on top of it if someone else has taken on the responsibility. No
one cares about it as much as you do. Delegate when appropriate,
or let others who are helping do what they need to do….but
follow up.
Be
generous with credit and acknowledge others. You can’t
do it alone and you must let those that are helping feel genuinely
appreciated.
Don’t
let obstacles fool you…into thinking it can’t
be done. If it’s an idea whose time has come, there is a power
that will prevail, that is greater than any obstacle.
Remember
that you are a servant to the natural dignity of the
spirit of animals. Behave in a way that honors that integrity.
I
hope that this is helpful. If you need more advice please email
me at dvlknc@yahoo.com.
UPDATE!
June
2004
Thanks to the effort of Dianne Lawrence and the Commanding Officer
of Animal Regulation, David
Diliberto, in 2003 the Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed
an amendment to the existing Guard Dog Ordinance (Los Angeles Municipal
Code Section 53,66) upgrading the outdoor living requirements for
Guard dogs on commercial property and making it illegal to tether
them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are currently getting ready
to go back to City Council to do the same for dogs in backyards
on private property. They have the endorsement of PETA and the Southern
California Veterinarians Medical Association.
www.diannelawrence.com
Dianne
V. Lawrence has been working on this issue for three years.
We are very grateful for her excellent advice!
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