HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2015.05.21 - 21855REPORT (MISC. #15074) May 21, 2015
BY: Public Services Committee, Bill Dwyer, Chairperson
IN RE: MR #15074 - BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — SUPPORT OF MEASURES TO
PROTECT COMPANION ANIMALS FROM INHUMANE TETHERING PRACTICES
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
The Public Services Committee, having reviewed the above referenced resolution on May 12,
2014, reports with the recommendation the resolution be adopted.
Chairperson, on behalf of the Public Services Committee, I move the acceptance of the foregoing
report.
PUBLIC SEVICES C1DMMITTEE
PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Miscellaneous Resolution # 15074 -Ja/V.1-/J L-
BY: Commissioner Marcia Gershenson, District # 13; Commissioner Bill Dwyer, District #14 D
RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — SUPPORT OF MEASURES TO PROTECT COMPANION ANIMALS
FROM INHUMANE TETHERING PRACTICES
TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS tethering is the practice of fastening a companion animal outdoors for a prolonged period to
a stationary object, such as a structure, a pole, or a tree can be inhumane and may present a threat to
the safety of the dog, other animals and human beings; and
WHEREAS the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Humane Society of the United
States (HSUS) and hundreds of animal welfare organizations across the state and country have found
tethering to be inhumane; and
WHEREAS research shows that the 24/7, continuous chaining of a dog is often a factor in dog bite-
related fatalities and unprovoked attacks on people and other companion animals, and
WHEREAS the continuous tethering of an animal can pose a public safety risk and a danger to the
tethered animal, including severe collar injuries, injuries related to becoming entangled in the tether
and exposure-related illnesses, injury and death; and
WHEREAS a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association estimates
that 17% of reported dog bite injuries and deaths nationwide between 1979 and 1998 were caused by
dogs restrained (including by chaining) on their owners' property at the time of the attack; and
WHEREAS an extensive study of fatal dog attacks since 1965 concluded "chained dogs have killed at
least 109 persons (25% of the US dog bite/attack fatalities since 1965); of those fatalities, 99 were
children who wandered into the reach of a chained or similarly restrained dog and another 11 were
instances in which chained dogs broke free before attacking (Fatal Dog Attacks, Delise); and
WHEREAS the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services of the U.S. Department of Justice has
identified "owners who leave tethered or chained dogs unattended" among "Factors Contributing to
Dog-Related Incidents and Encounters"; and
WHEREAS law enforcement officials have reported "evidence of cruel treatment and neglect
commonly seen in persistently tethered dogs by animal control officers and veterinarians includes
embedded collars, chains, or cables in the neck, often to such an extent that the dog must be
destroyed"; and
WHEREAS Public Act 328 of 1931 prohibits the neglect of animals and requires that animals be
provided adequate care and shelter in sanitary conditions; and
WHEREAS local governments have the authority to adopt reasonable regulations to provide for the
protection of companion animals and to authorize criminal sanctions; and
WHEREAS Oakland County Animal Control and local animal control agencies throughout the county
have the authority and responsibility for the enforcement of PA 328 and relevant local ordinances; and
WHEREAS clear anti-tethering regulations will provide animal control officers with greater authority to
protect animals and the public with appropriate sanctions for neglectful practices; and
WHEREAS Oakland County communities should join the growing number of local governments
throughout the nation that are adopting legislation to end inhumane tethering practices.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners support
efforts to raise public awareness about the dangers of 24/7, continuous tethering of animals.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners requests the support of the Oakland
County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center in efforts to educate the public regarding proper
Commissioner Marcia ershenson
District #13
treatment of animals and the dangers of excessive tethering practices.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners encourages city, villages
and townships to adopt anti-tethering regulations that ensure animals are provided adequate care and
shelter in sanitary conditions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds is requested to forward
copies of this adopted resolution to the Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center and
all local governments within Oakland County. .
Chairperson, I move the adoption of the foregoing Re§
Com-rdissigneir Bill D
District #14
Commissioner
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Resolution #15074 March 18, 2015
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the Public Services Committee. There were no
objections.
Resolution #15074 May 21, 2015
Moved by Spisz supported by Jackson the resolutions (with fiscal notes attached) on the amended
Consent Agenda be adopted (with accompanying reports being accepted).
AYES: Dwyer, Fleming, Gingell, Gosselin, Hoffman, Jackson, KowaII, Long, Matis, McGillivray,
Middleton, Quarles, Scott, Spisz, Taub, Weipert, Woodward, Zack, Crawford. (19)
NAYS: None. (0)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the resolutions (with fiscal notes attached) on the amended
Consent Agenda were adopted (with accompanying reports being accepted).
1 MANY APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION
CHIEF DEPUTY COUNTY EXECUTIVE
ACTING PURSUANT TO MCL 45.559A (7)
STATE OF MICHIGAN)
COUNTY OF OAKLAND)
I, Lisa Brown, Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and
accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on May 21, 2015,
with the original record thereof now remaining in my office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County of Oakland at
Pontiac, Michigan this 21't day of May 2015.
Lisa Brown, Oakland County