RAINER'S RAMBLINGS
Animal ordinance
By RAINER ARNOLD

I was recently informed that Union County has a quality Animal Ordinance. As soon as I found out I email our Commissioner, Lamar Paris, and asked for a copy of it. Soon thereafter, I got an email with a copy of the Animal Ordinance.

I was surprised that it was as complete as it was and with the extent of scope that it had.

There was nothing left out. This even included pets, animals that actually can be classified as working dogs, etc. It defines cruelty to animals, animal bites, dangerous animals and the list goes on. It even requires that people keep their animal on a leash and do not tie the animal up on a line and leave it there.

It requires that a dog have a house of sorts and that the owner is responsible for his pet, which includes liabilities and insurance for certain types of dogs.

Anyway, I think it is great that Union County has adopted such a comprehensive ordinance which includes an animal control officer for the county. This Ordinance also lists specific fines for specific offenses.

And the reason I brought the whole thing up is because I was recently speaking with an individual that had returned from Austria and he told me that he thought it was so cool that dog owners take their pets into restaurants and no one says anything about it and the dogs are always so well behaved.

I then told that person that in Germany they do the same thing but they go a little further with their dog ordinances. I saw a story on German TV recently where the animal control officers have a scanner that they put to the neck of a dog that is running about lose and scan the owners name and other vital information. Thus, they can track down the owner and fine him/her for not having their dog on a leash or in their yard.

Dog owners also have a responsibility to clean up after their pets. Now, I have seen people here and in other areas that clean up after their pet if the use the bathroom in a public place. But over there it is required and you are fined if you do not do the same.

Now, I am not yet for placing a device under the skin of an animal for easy identification of the owner. But, I like the idea of people being held responsible for their pets. And I for one, am proud that Union County has adopted a comprehensive animal ordinance that is fair and decent. I hope that the residents and citizens of Union County will read, appreciate and comply with this Animal Ordinance and make this a better place to live.