Apr 17, 2009 8:40 am US/Eastern
Pet Owners Outraged By New Dog Law & Fine
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Be sure to grab the leash and a bag the next time you walk your dog. Otherwise, you could face quite a hefty fine.
Be sure to grab the leash and a bag the next time you walk your dog. Otherwise, you could face quite a hefty fine.
Kai Jackson reports a number of city dog owners are outraged by the $1,000 fine.
Animal owners love their pets, but a new city law imposes heavy fines on those who let dogs run free.
The new fine is so high, pet owners are giving City Council members an earful.
The city says love has limits and from now on, four-legged friends must be tethered to their owners -- or else.
"We have been receiving several citizen complaints in regard to animals running at large, dog owners failing to pick up the animal waste," said Olivia Farrow, interim Baltimore Health Commissioner.
Under a new city law passed in December but recently put into effect, the fine for unleashed pets, dogs or cats, or not picking up your dog's waste, jumped from $100 to $1,000 for a first offense.
"The fine is excessive and abusive," said Darren Eynon from Federal Hill.
Baltimore City Councilman Ed Reisinger co-sponsored the bill and got it passed. He got an earful Thursday from angry residents.
"I have to just be honest with you, in the bill it had any other provisions. It didn't state like leash or dog rates," said Reisinger.
Dog owners are now expecting emergency legislation to be introduced in the Baltimore City Council to take up the matter of the first offense 1,000 fine.
Reisinger says the fine structure may change.
"The first offense would be $250, the second $500 and the third $1,000," he said.
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