Anyone live in a state where pets are not property?

[bull]

I heard a vet on the radio the other day saying that Oregon law might soon be changed so that at least dogs will no longer be the property of their owners but rather cohabitants or something like that. I see what good they are trying to do by changing it but I can also see some serious problems with it. I mean as Will Ferrell put it on SNL, "Just remember, you're a fu****g dog." So does it turn into some kind of Oregon State Dog Services Division thing where if you make Fido sleep in the garage at night you get turned in by your neighbor for neglect? Anyone dealing with this craziness yet?

[dodge freak]

That does sound a little crazy, I love animals too but they can not take care of themselves ,well not pets and think like a person. I see why some people would like it , but most if not all states have laws that if you harm even your own pet you can go to jail. So not sure why its needed. Our 14 year old Chow Chow passed this May and it was very sad, he went to the local memorial garden where people go too-they have a pet area, our little friends garden , they call it. So we treaded our dog like a person, but he had no idea what was happening , so they are "dumb" .

Maybe the vets are pushing for it so its hard to put them down, but WHO will take care of them ? We had no choice, he could not walk for 3 weeks and was getting worst everyday, had a bad skin problem as well.

I went to Acapulco last March, boy those dogs there have it bad, all of the strays I seen were so skinny you could see their ribs, and they all were so sad. Mexico needs to help them out, but they can't even help its own people let alone some dog.

[Rack]

I heard a vet on the radio the other day saying that Oregon law might soon be changed so that at least dogs will no longer be the property of their owners but rather cohabitants or something like that. I see what good they are trying to do by changing it but I can also see some serious problems with it. I mean as Will Ferrell put it on SNL, "Just remember, you're a fu****g dog." So does it turn into some kind of Oregon State Dog Services Division thing where if you make Fido sleep in the garage at night you get turned in by your neighbor for neglect? Anyone dealing with this craziness yet?

I can see where you're coming from, but I doubt they'd take it that far.

There are some people that should be beaten over the head with a cactus for the way they treat their animals. My gf's neighbor keeps his dog outdoors 24/7 despite the fact that 100+ degree weather is common around here, and they often "forget" to give the dog water.


Now... go outside in 100+ degree weather wearing a fur coat and don't drink any water for 1 hour and see how it feels. Not good.


Nothing wrong with keeping your dog outside as long as they have shelter and LOTS of water.

I have 7 dogs and they get treated like royalty. I treat my dogs better then I treat people, cuz none of my dogs have ever done me wrong. People have done me wrong plenty of times. My dogs are my family, someone messes with one of my dogs and they're gonna have regguls ellivsiuol stamped across their forehead.


Ok I went a bit OT there, sort of. Anyway, I think it's a good idea as long as Oregon doesn't go overboard with it. They don't need to be giving out fines cuz someone walked their dog w/o putting shoes on the dog. That would just be stupid.

[Lowprofile]

The tree huggers have run amok! Snail Darters, Spotted Owls, Starbucks, and now THIS! 

My wife and I have 3 Dogs, 4 Kittys, and 2 horses. We love them dearly and would do anything to protect & take care of them. That being said, The feel good, latte sippers among us feel they have to have laws covering every part of our lives, most likely because they feel that we are to stupid to breath on our own, let alone take care of a dog/cat etc....  We have more than enough laws on the books to take care of this kind of thing.....Enforcement is the key. Yet they seem to never have enough money to pay officers/ SPCA cops to do their jobs properly.

Kinda sounds like just another feel good, money grab law to me.  Do yourself a favor, move to Idaho.

[dodge freak]

Well my Chow Chow bit me a few times the 14 years we had him, but I still loved him. Dogs can not help themself's thats why I feel sorry for them. A person has much more control of their lives , but sometimes bad stuff happens to them. I would not go as far to say I love pets more than people-all should be loved. I like pit bull's also-they can not help it  if they like to bite, same with lions, tigers, etc.

What all state should do is to crack down on bad pet owners, but of course that cost money and may decease the # of people who own pets and more would have to be put down.

[Rack]

most likely because they feel that we are to stupid to breath on our own, let alone take care of a dog/cat etc

You'd be surprised. There are plenty of stupid people out there. Haven't you ever read stories of mother's leaving their kids locked up in the car on a hot day while they ran into the salon "real quick" to pick up a bottle a shampoo (or something like that)?

If there are people too stupid to know how to take care of a kid then there's likely some out there too stupid to take car of a dog as well.


These laws aren't for everyone. Anyone that takes care of their animals and knows it, shouldn't feel threatened.

Either way, like you said, they probably won't enforce the law anyway. But laws like this (or similiar) need to be in place. Not too long ago there were a group of teenagers going around stealing dogs from people's backyards and beating them to death. It was 2-3 years ago. They got a light slap on the wrist for it. These laws need to be in place because of people like that.

[Ponch ®]

I heard a vet on the radio the other day saying that Oregon law might soon be changed so that at least dogs will no longer be the property of their owners but rather cohabitants or something like that. I see what good they are trying to do by changing it but I can also see some serious problems with it. I mean as Will Ferrell put it on SNL, "Just remember, you're a fu****g dog." So does it turn into some kind of Oregon State Dog Services Division thing where if you make Fido sleep in the garage at night you get turned in by your neighbor for neglect? Anyone dealing with this craziness yet?

funny..thats exactly how i feel about wives/girlfriends.

[psykicpup]

its not so much there 'needs' to be a law.... there probably are some that cover but if it isn't brought up before a judge often they kinda forget & treat it a trivial....we need (USA & UK & the rest) to ensure our JP's are up to the job & fully informed & refreshed on what is acceptable!

[19Charger68]

We have two dogs and a cat and life would not be much fun without them.  I cannot stand to see any animal mistreated.  Here in New Mexico, if you see a dog (or child) in a car alone, you can legally break out the window of the car to get them out.  They have passed some other very restrictive laws like how long the length of a leash has to be and how many toys the dog must have (seriously!) but for the most part I am happy to see that there is general concern for the well being of these wonderful creatures.

Bruce

[psykicpup]

I totally agree with you my pets are mostly family (ie some more than others - I didnt cry when the iguana died for instance) but treating them the same in Law as your child is just wrong & demeans our children- its says the cat is just as important as the baby - no way! (ps I cried when we had to have our cat put to sleep)( and sobbed like a baby & grieved for months after our dog died)

[Rack]

I totally agree with you my pets are mostly family (ie some more than others - I didnt cry when the iguana died for instance) but treating them the same in Law as your child is just wrong & demeans our children- its says the cat is just as important as the baby - no way! (ps I cried when we had to have our cat put to sleep)( and sobbed like a baby & grieved for months after our dog died)

I couldn't disagree more. And I can't even see how anyone would see it that way.

[73dodge]

I heard a vet on the radio the other day saying that Oregon law might soon be changed so that at least dogs will no longer be the property of their owners but rather cohabitants or something like that. I see what good they are trying to do by changing it but I can also see some serious problems with it. I mean as Will Ferrell put it on SNL, "Just remember, you're a fu****g dog." So does it turn into some kind of Oregon State Dog Services Division thing where if you make Fido sleep in the garage at night you get turned in by your neighbor for neglect? Anyone dealing with this craziness yet?

Yea pretty soon they are going to be pushing for marriage rights for any one who wants to marry their pet, it is the left coast after all and a "progressive" state.....   

[Rack]

I heard a vet on the radio the other day saying that Oregon law might soon be changed so that at least dogs will no longer be the property of their owners but rather cohabitants or something like that. I see what good they are trying to do by changing it but I can also see some serious problems with it. I mean as Will Ferrell put it on SNL, "Just remember, you're a fu****g dog." So does it turn into some kind of Oregon State Dog Services Division thing where if you make Fido sleep in the garage at night you get turned in by your neighbor for neglect? Anyone dealing with this craziness yet?

Yea pretty soon they are going to be pushing for marriage rights for any one who wants to marry their pet, it is the left coast after all and a "progressive" state.....   

[73dodge]

I heard a vet on the radio the other day saying that Oregon law might soon be changed so that at least dogs will no longer be the property of their owners but rather cohabitants or something like that. I see what good they are trying to do by changing it but I can also see some serious problems with it. I mean as Will Ferrell put it on SNL, "Just remember, you're a fu****g dog." So does it turn into some kind of Oregon State Dog Services Division thing where if you make Fido sleep in the garage at night you get turned in by your neighbor for neglect? Anyone dealing with this craziness yet?

Yea pretty soon they are going to be pushing for marriage rights for any one who wants to marry their pet, it is the left coast after all and a "progressive" state.....   

[dodge freak]

Why is it what ever something is people want to push it too far ? Over in Iran it is thought that dogs are dirty and have germs-so they killed all the dogs !! Some pet owners went to jail cause they were hidding their dogs. Now we have a state that wants to treat dogs like people ! I hope all the kids there are well feed and taking care of -if not maybe the kids that don't have parents that love and or  can take care of them should come first. Like I said I love ALL animals, snakes , mean dogs , etc. but come on-they still are an animal .

[psykicpup]

well said
how can anyone say a 'pet' is the same as a child!
I love my 'pets' as best I can to the best I can do + i do treat them like 'kids' but .................. they are not my kids,
my best beloved Bekki (collie cross x lab x german shep) once growled at my daughter.
bekki had just had a op. I told her off & put her in the garden.............
I also told my dghtr off for playing too rough too ............ though it was made clear why to my dghtr why she was punished last

[dodge freak]

1. A child grows up - a dog dies.

2. A child keeps getting smarter, maybe even smarter than you -a dog can only learn a few tricks.

3. A child can one day maybe take care of you- a dog will never take care of you.


4.A child will never hurt or kill you unless they want too - a dog has hurt or  kill their owners just cause they were hungry or playing rough and afterwards don't even think they did anything wrong.

5. A child is a human being - a dog is a animal.

only fair to look at this the other way I guess

1. A dog will love you even if you do not deserve to be love by it.-- A child can hate you.

2. A dog will cost less to raise than a child.

3. A dog can protect you - a child can not.

4. A dog will listen to you- a child may talk back, think teenagers.

5. A dog is easier to handle, raise than a child.

6. A dog can be left home alone - a child used to be, not anymore.

7. A dog can always be given away- a child you are stuck with , at least until they are 18 years old.

I am sure the are many many more, but hey whats the point?

[Rack]

I still fail to see how any of these laws are making animals equal to humans or human children. Where are you seeing this?


Animals are helpless. The laws are made to help protect them. No where are any of these laws stating that pets are equal to humans.


You were talking about societies "taking things too far"? That isn't the case here. You're simply seeing something that isn't there and/or you're exhaggerating your attempt at a point.


Show me where any of these laws state that a pet is equal to a human. Maybe I'm the one missing something here, but I'm pretty sure I'm up to speed.

1. A child grows up - a dog dies.

2. A child keeps getting smarter, maybe even smarter than you -a dog can only learn a few tricks.

3. A child can one day maybe take care of you- a dog will never take care of you.


4.A child will never hurt or kill you unless they want too - a dog has hurt or  kill their owners just cause they were hungry or playing rough and afterwards don't even think they did anything wrong.

5. A child is a human being - a dog is a animal.

only fair to look at this the other way I guess

1. A dog will love you even if you do not deserve to be love by it.-- A child can hate you.

2. A dog will cost less to raise than a child.

3. A dog can protect you - a child can not.

4. A dog will listen to you- a child may talk back, think teenagers.

5. A dog is easier to handle, raise than a child.

6. A dog can be left home alone - a child used to be, not anymore.

7. A dog can always be given away- a child you are stuck with , at least until they are 18 years old.

I don't think any of those make a valid enough point to keep from making laws to help protect dogs (or pets in general) from abuse.

Just cuz a child grows smarter then a dog is reason enough to be able to kick Fido in the head cuz he chewed up your wife's shoe?

By the way "A dog can never take care of you"... you ever heard of a seeing eye dog (or however it's spelled)?

[dodge freak]

Wow good point about that seeing eye dog. I would never think any animal should be abused, even if it mulled a child it should be put down humanly. I was just comparing a kid to a dog- not trying to say a dog does not deserve to live a happy life.

[Rack]

Wow good point about that seeing eye dog. I would never think any animal should be abused, even if it mulled a child it should be put down humanly. I was just comparing a kid to a dog- not trying to say a dog does not deserve to live a happy life.

That was my point. The laws aren't there to deem a pet equal to humans. They're there to help prevent animal cruelty.


A law that says you can legally break a window of a car if a dog and/or child is locked in doesn't mean the dog is equal to the child. All it means is the child and dog are equally unable to roll down the window or open the door. Would it be better if the law left dogs out of it? Would it be better if you saw a child stuck in a car with the windows up and you can legally break the window and the child, but if you saw a dog stuck in a car with the windows up you wouldn't legally be able to do anything about it? See my point? Having the "Dog" and "Child" both included in that law isn't saying they're equal. It's just saying neither the dog nor child can free themselves so you, the bystander, can free them, legally.

I'm sure it would be the same if a mentally ill person were stuck in a car with the windows up, or a senior citizen, etc...

My whole point is those laws aren't saying pets are equal to humans. Just cuz a law is in place to help protect them doesn't mean our gov't is trying to deem them equal to humans.

[19Charger68]

I would have to agree with Rack.  I don't think the breakig window law here was meant to equate people with animals, only to protect those people or creatures who are unable to take care of themselves under conditions of extreme heat in a car with rolled up windows. 
We love our dogs but would never put them on a par with a human being.  We would, however, do just about anything to protect them or other helpless creatures.

[bull]

That's fine and dandy but there are always problems with these feel-good laws. Here's one I can think of off the top of my head: county animal control officials and people at the Humane Society are always crying for us to adopt more unwanted pets so they won't be euthanized. This change in the law is not going to make that situation improve, if anything adoptions are going to decrease because people aren't going to want to deal with the hassle. It's already more difficult than it should be to adopt a pet so how is making the owners more liable to government scrutiny going to help?

[19Charger68]

Bull, I pretty much agree with you.  Government edicts are seldom the answer.  In fact, there is a petition drive starting here to resend the recently passed bill regarding governmental control over citizens and their pets.  The original bill is extremely restrictive and complicated and has incensed almost everyone.  I look for the petition drive to be successful and the bill killed in next years legislature.  Believe it or not, the bill actually, among other things, specifies the diameter of a perch for caged birds as well as the size of water containers for dogs and cats.  That is just part of it - you would not believe what you were reading if you actually looked at the bill, (many, many pages).

[dodge freak]

That is so dumb, we had a med size water bowl for our 90 lbs Chow , but every time he had a drink we re-fill it, sometimes he drink a bowl and a half. Sure we could have gotten a huge bowl but the water would not have been as fresh. He was very well feed and taking care of, could not have had a better home. His vet bills cost so much-even the day he died the vet bill was $112 and all they did was look at him early in the morning and put him down that afternoon. And here we would be breaking the law cause his water bowl was to small.

[Rack]

That's fine and dandy but there are always problems with these feel-good laws.

That's lawyers for ya. Evil bastards can't tell the difference between their a-hole and a crater.

What they need to do is pass a law making it extremely affordable to have your pets "fixed" that way it would make it easier to control pet overpopulation. Lets stray dogs/cats, less dogs/cats euthanized.

Even so, some owners are just irresponsible. I have a friend that had a female cat (outdoors). It just showed up around his house so he started feeding it. I told him, "YOu need to get that cat spayed NOW cuz you're gonna end up with a couple of litters and the cat food alone will cost you more then the cost of getting is spayed".

Of course the lazy bastard didn't get the cat spayed and of course he now has a freakin' community of cats in his back yard. And now if he wants to stop the population from growing he'd have to spend even MORE money to get even MORE females spayed (or get rid of the cats one way or another). I told the moron what would happen, but he was too short sighted to see past the $50 bucks he'd have to spend to get the cat spayed.

Anyway, that's another story...

[bull]

I guess I just think it's foolhearty to keep creating more and more laws that are virtually unenforcible. Laws only effect law-abiding citizens and I just see this as yet another way for honest, hard-working people to get screwed while the hooligans go on about their business.

[MichaelRW]

For every new law 2 old ones should be removed.