Pet health Q & A: Leash laws, loose cats and when to spay and neuter

Pet health Q & A: Leash laws, loose cats and when to spay and neuter


The answers contained here apply to people who reside in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County and the cities of San Diego, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar and Santee, as those areas fall under the jurisdiction of the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services. If you live in another area, please check with the organization that provides animal control services for that city as the local laws may differ; however, state laws apply.


March 14, 2010


By Jennifer Reed, SDNN jennifer.reed@sdnn.com or 858-309-4897


San Diego News Network (SDNN)

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Welcome to your pet questions, answered.


In this section, SDNN and a range of local experts answer your burning pet questions – everything from exercise and diet to common animal laws. We’ll crack the myths, correct the contradictory information and give you the truth about your pet.

What do you want to know? Get a professional’s opinion and send your questions to health and wellness editor, Jennifer Reed, at jennifer.reed@sdnn.com

Answering this week’s questions, from the San Diego Department of Animal Services, is Animal Medical Operations Manager David Johnson and Supervising Animal Control Office Lt. Dan DeSousa.

The answers contained here apply to people who reside in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County and the cities of San Diego, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar and Santee, as those areas fall under the jurisdiction of the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services. If you live in another area, please check with the organization that provides animal control services for that city as the local laws may differ; however, state laws apply.

Q. Do I have to keep my dog on a leash all the time?

A. Dan says: Yes. By keeping your dog on a leash whenever you leave your property, you are helping to keep both the public and your pet safe. When your dog is on a leash, you can control the dog and prevent anyone else from being bitten. It’s simple: if the dog is unrestrained, you have no control over the dog and would not be able to prevent the dog from harming another person. A dog being walked on a leash cannot dart out into traffic and get hit by a car or cause a traffic accident (for which you could be held liable). Nor can a leashed dog chase after and injure another animal, be it a cat, wild animal or other dog. A leash will also help you prevent your dog from getting into things which could either kill him or her (antifreeze, poison) or nauseate you (eating feces or rolling in trash).

Also, dogs are territorial animals by nature. If they are allowed to run loose throughout the neighborhood, they will likely come to see your front yard and those of your neighbors as being their territory. Any “intruder” into that territory (be it a person or another dog) could easily be attacked.

As a note, the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services describes a leash as “any rope, strap, chain or other material six feet or less in length, intended to be held in the hand of a person for the purpose of controlling an animal to which it is attached.”

Q. What can I do about cats coming onto my property?

A. Dan says: There are no regulatory laws for cats and, as such, our Animal Control Officers have no authority to impound loose or homeless cats. However, as a property owner, you do have the legal authority to humanely trap any loose cats on your property and deliver them to our animal shelters. (Note: All state and local anti-animal cruelty laws do apply to cats).

I would recommend that you first speak to the owner of the cat (if known) and advise them that you do not want the cat to come onto your property. Let them know if the problem continues that you intend to set out humane traps to capture the cats and bring them to a shelter. One would hope that they will cooperate as they don’t want to see the cat trapped and brought to a shelter. You may borrow a trap from our shelter by leaving a $50 deposit. Generally we allow a person to keep the trap for one week, but if an extension is needed, it can be granted. After you have trapped a cat, you must keep it safe from harm (there is an instruction sheet with the trap) and you simply need to bring the cat (in the trap) to the closest animal shelter that can legally accept strays. If you know who owns the cat, you must provide us with that information so that we may notify the owner that their cat has been impounded. The owner will be required to pay fees in order to reclaim the cat from the shelter.

As a note, there are thousands of feral (unsocialized domestic) cats in neighborhoods throughout the county. Feral cat colony caretakers place food out for these cats. The cats are captured by members of the Feral Cat Coalition (FCC) and taken to a veterinary hospital to be spayed and neutered, vaccinated, tested for feline leukemia and if, deemed healthy, returned and released in the area where they were trapped. This is known as “Trap, Neuter and Release.” The colony caretakers then continue to feed and otherwise manage the colony.

Q. It’s kitten season. When should I spay or neuter my cat?

A. David says: (see 2-minute and 22-second video at originating website address / URL, scroll down page) http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2010-03-14/lifestyle/pet-health-q-a-leash-laws-loose-cats-and-when-to-spay-and-neuter

Copyright 2010, San Diego News Network.

http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2010-03-14/lifestyle/pet-health-q-a-leash-laws-loose-cats-and-when-to-spay-and-neuter

Facebook Group "I Love My Blue Heeler" picks Wiggles Blue Heeler

Facebook Group "I Love My Blue Heeler" picks Wiggles Blue Heeler as "Heeler of the Week"




(Note: My dearest friend, Wiggles Blue Heeler, known as WigglesBlue Heeler on Facebook, returned to Heaven Sunday morning, December 5th, 2010. My grief, like the joy Wiggles gave me every second of his dear life, is immeasurable. I thank God for the precious, priceless loan to me of Wiggles for over a dozen years. I am not less of a person because Wiggles returned to Heaven; I am more of a person because he lived! We will always love each other, ALWAYS.)


March 14, 2010




By Julie Kay Smithson, aka Wiggles' Mommy




Wiggles Blue Heeler is my "dog of a lifetime," in addition to being my best friend, loyal companion, walking buddy, playtime bundle of energy, & more, since he was 9 weeks young in September 1998. He is still vibrant and cheerful, full of life, love and playfulness!

There aren't enough words to describe how this sweetest soul in the universe makes me, and everyone he meets, happy.


He just loves everyone and everything, never growling or barking at anyone in his whole life!

Every day is a special blessing, being Wiggles' person.


Thanks so much to the Facebook Group, "I Love My Blue Heeler" for making Wiggles Blue Heeler this week's featured heeler from March 13 through March 19, 2010!


God bless heelers and their people everywhere; may they all appreciate and cherish these most special and precious irreplaceable blessings in dog clothes!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=2212897445




http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=1105593097799#!/group.php?gid=2212897445&ref=search&sid=100000266756981.2114109923..1

Update on Bosco, the Dutch Shepherd Zanesville, Ohio, K-9 Officer, and his partner, Officer Mike Schiele

Update on Bosco, the Dutch Shepherd Zanesville, Ohio, K-9 Officer, and his partner, Officer Mike Schiele


March 1, 2010


By Julie Kay Smithson propertyrights@earthlink.net


Bosco, the beautiful brindle Dutch Shepherd K-9 Officer, has almost completely recovered from his August 23, 2009, injuries suffered in the line of duty. Bosco is now officially retired from the Zanesville, Ohio, K-9 Unit. Bosco, however, is not resting on his laurels, but continues to amaze and delight people of all ages in his new role as public relations K-9.

Zanesville Police Officer Mike Schiele, Bosco's partner, is still a K-9 Unit officer and has been assigned a new K-9 officer, German Shepherd Tino, but Officer Mike and Bosco now spend time visiting and telling their story to the public in locations around Ohio.

The Zanesville K-9 Unit is paid for entirely by donations. People wishing to contribute to Bosco's care and to the Unit may send donations to the Zanesville Police Department, K-9 Unit, 332 South Street, Zanesville, OH 43701. Contact: 740-455-0700 (Linda Highfield)


History


Bosco, a Dutch Shepherd Canine Officer in Zanesville, Ohio, was shot on Sunday, August 23, 2009, when Officer Mike Schiele attempted to arrest a Zanesville man on a misdemeanor warrant.

Officer Schiele was shot in the leg and was treated and released from Grant Hospital.
Bosco was shot through the neck and suffered multiple injuries, one of which caused temporary paralysis, which affected his front end most. Over the course of the next four months, an intensive rehabilitation program was developed and used to help Bosco recover, but his indomitable spirit and will to live was crucial to its success. Bosco never quit trying!

This great dog and his owner are now recovered. Bosco still visits the Officer Schiele (pronounced SHEE-Lee) has been assigned a new K-9 officer, Tino, but Bosco lives with Schiele and his family and is now in great demand for public relations visits.

Both Bosco and Officer Mike love this new work and are scheduled to visit a Newark nursing home rehabilitation center in March and a Girl Scout Camp in June, among other PR visits. Bosco still visits the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine twice a week for maintenance therapy, but is doing extremely well.

Visit the following links to read all updates and see other photos and videos. Keep your Kleenex handy; this is a story with courage in spades!



http://tips2ussavethem.blogspot.com/2009/08/brave-dog-diaries-police-dog-bosco.html


http://tips2ussavethem.blogspot.com/2009/09/bosco-zanesville-police-canine-officer.html


Contact information regarding Bosco's therapy: Kristine McComis, Coordinator of Information Services, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine mccomis.2@osu.edu or 614-292-7159 or 614-688-3517.

http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu.5971.html