Comments on: What do you think about households being licensed to own dogs instead of dog licensing?

By: Larry E

Larry E — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:01:59 +0000

You've got to be kidding. Do you want to live in a communist country. Thar's what it would be.
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By: Ista

Ista — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 19:27:59 +0000

I think it’s a foolish idea. I’m against govt interference in our daily lives as citizens. The more power you hand over to them freely, the more they’ll take. Where would it end?

Mine aren’t licensed. I see no reason for them to profit off my decision to own pets. I keep them confined, I take good care of them, it’s nobody’s business what I do, or how many I have, or whether I choose to spay/neuter. That’s my decision, and I’m responsible and educated enough to make those decisions. I see no reason to pay a "fee" proving I am. Much less, my doing so, isn’t going to change the behaviors of those that abuse their animals.
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By: CoffeeCupDobie

CoffeeCupDobie — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:42:59 +0000

hmmm An idea that I support. Take a test if you pass you get a puppy and a license to own said puppy. If you want another puppy (different breed) another test. Sounds good to me, you make the bill I will contact the congressmen and we will get this passed.
Yep, lets do it..
Also a license to have children. Why not? We have to have a license to get married why not to have kids and dogs…
License to drive a motor vehicle, that can be used as a weapon… well a dog can be used as one also.
SO yes a DOG OWNER LICENSE sounds good to me.

What would the Questions be though, I wonder? Hmm. Another question for you to post maybe for idea’s I think you’ll get some good ones…
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By: ragapple

ragapple — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:35:59 +0000

While I can understand the motive behind the idea,If it came up to a vote in my area I would vote NO- rather like the NRA would vote agianst a gun owner lisence.
Big problem is – who decides who is "good enough" to have a dog? It can easly become a southern reading test (ya know the ones a Univ prof can’t pass if they are the wrong race)

On this list alone I’ve heard it said you shouldn’t own a dog if:

You work – your dog need your presence & attention at all times
You make less than $50,000 a year – you should be able to afford any vet cost, the very best dog food ect. (neat trick without leaving home hugh?)
You have kids -disaster waiting to happen
You have other pets- you can’t give each undivided attention
You don’t have another dog- otherwise your dog in living in solitary confinment
You don’t walk it at least 30 min twice a day
You force it to walk hugh distances and long times- like 30 min

ect ect…
Not to mention the groups that disagree with keep animals "slaves" at all…
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By: ~CaspersMommy~

*~CaspersMommy~* — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:04:59 +0000

That would be terrific, if only someone would do that.
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By: Lucy ♫

Lucy ♫ — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 17:47:59 +0000

Yes, that would be nice.

But, to make the animal world even better –

People have to pass a test before owning the dog, knowing the dog breed, ensuring that it will be altered, or even alter before getting the dog. Passing a good home check, and so on.

That’s basically just a strict thing of what shelters and breeders do now.
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By: R M

R M — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 17:20:59 +0000

Licensing doesn’t really work well in the first place. They just did a recent poll and it is believed that less than 15% of people have their dogs licensed anyways!! My dogs receive all of their shots and are well taken care of, but I don’t have licenses for them. Nor has anyone ever come to the house to ask about it. They wear their rabies tags on their collars, along with their Name tags w. address, and phone number, and they are microchipped.

You have a good idea, but unfortunately people always find ways to get around these things. They established gun control legislation in Canada that states you must register your firearms (guns). To date it has cost millions of dollars to implement, only good citizens are doing it (paying to do so) while the real criminals continue to go around shooting people with unregistered guns (I know this was a bit of a tangent- but it is an example of how ineffective the things usually are)
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By: petloveragain

petloveragain — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 17:09:59 +0000

If someone was going to go through the trouble of this new regulation then maybe they should attack all of the issues. Say making people have a license and education about kids before they decide to have a baby factory. Any idiot can get laid, but how many of them can properly raise a child?
Or how about the marriage and divorce thing? To get married all you have to do is fill out one paper, wait three days. To get divorced you have to fill out a whole writers cramp PILE of papers and wait four-five months.

PEOPLE SHOULD BE EDUCATED BEFORE THEY DECIDE TO ATTEMPT MOST ANYTHING!!!!!!
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Owner of previously unwanted dog and cats. Also been married and divorced and remarried, and have three kids.

By: Cindy (is a petfinder)

Cindy (is a petfinder) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:19:59 +0000

eh… interesting… but honestly who decides?

Everyone has a different opinion on what’s right. And in reality there is no "right" way to do things, there are gray areas.

I know rescues that won’t let people with kids have dogs. I know rescues who won’t let people with electric fences have dogs. I know rescues that won’t let people who haven’t HAD dogs have dogs… (stupid, IMO).

Who decides what the minimum standards are for the license to own?

In theory its a good idea. In reality, it’s more complicated.

I’d just settle for REALLY strict laws for animal abuse. And REAL punishment for those who abuse and neglect animals. I’d also settle for low to no cost spay neuter clinics in every city across the country. I’d rather see a mandatory pet ed class like home ed in HS. That would make me happier than a license.

Just my thoughts.

Edit:
My dogs aren’t licensed and I won’t license them. I’m over the limit for my municipality. Do I care for them properly, you better believe it. Better than 99% of the people on here. And everyone in my neighborhood knows it too. =) My dogs aren’t ever an issue – we are a curiosity.
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Owned by 5 dogs and rescue volunteer.

By: BJ'sBabyGirl

BJ'sBabyGirl — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:10:59 +0000

While it is a good concept, I don't think it will be effective. The government has a hard enough time regulating the laws that they already have. If they start liscensing households to own dogs they will try to do it on having kids. Not something that the government is equipped to do. I think it should lie in the breeder's hands!
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