When some animal owners encounter some animal control officials, it's not just fur that can fly.  A man in southern Colorado shot a dog attacking his livestock.  An arrest warrant was issued for shooting the dog.  A SWAT team went out to arrest the man.  Later, investigators from the Douglas County Sheriff's office decided not to press charges, but another detective did press charges. 

After all the confusion, the man is still in court, proclaiming self defense given the tragic incident of Jennifer Brooks who was killed by a dog pack two years ago.

Animal owners claim harassment by protection officers and agencies

HB10-1124, sponsored by Rep. Wes McKinley (D-SE CO), addresses the rights of animal owners and the responsibilities of animal protection agencies.  Some owners cite harassment by animal control, including the Humane Society and the Dumb Friends League.  

Owners have had doors kicked in by animal control officers and their animals impounded.  Owners are then charged for food and shelter for their animals during the ten day holding period used to resolve cases, even when the owner is not guilty of any wrong doing.

Animal protectors reject bill's price tag

Allied against the complaining owners are the Humane Society, the Dumb Friends League, the Colorado Association of Animal Control Officers, the Colorado State Veterinarian Association, the Colorado Municipal League, and city and county governments. 

The bill will require animal control officers to receive formal training from the University of Missouri, at the officer's expense of approximately $1700.  Veterinarians, cities, and animal protection associations protested the potential of animal shelter expense transferred to them when owners are not guilty of charges. 

Some associations objected to the requirement to raise liability coverage on non profit animal organizations protecting animals from $100,000 to $1 million.

Pit bull, a disability dog, caught in the middle of the dog fight

A Desert Storm veteran uses a legally obtained disability dog that he got when living in California.  The dog is a pit bull, and Denver has ordinances banning these dogs.  The dog is trained and docile, but the City and County of Denver wants to destroy it, violating American Disability Act waivers on dogs used for disabilities. 

House Agriculture Committee chair Randy Fisher, citing six amendments to the bill, decided that dog can't hunt.  He laid over the bill until next week.  Kiley Larsen and Paula Noonan, CCW

This post was published on February 3, 2010. Permalink »