Hello-
One of our members attended the first meeting regarding the changes to Fort
Worth Animal Control. She seemed to be the only one in attendance from the dog
owning community. We really need more Ft. Worth residents to get involved in
the process. I can't tell you how many times I have seen crazy ordinances get to
the City Council and head, "Well, the residents didn't complain when we were
writing it, what's the problem?" If you want to get involved please email
sherriann71 AT yahoo.com or call Sherri at 817 875-7343.

I have the presentation they handed out but I believe most of the same
information is now on the website:

http://fortworthgov.org/animals/ordinance/

They are definitely targeting certain breeds and demographics without having
BSL, which is illegal. The cost of owning a dog could become unaffordable for
many people and more dogs will be turned loose or dumped. This includes
variable fencing requirements based on size and weight of dog, mandatory
spay/neuter, minimum pen sizes (most ordinances end up specifying pen sizes that
are not standard [i.e., 150 SF instead of 10X10] so that people cannot
realistically use pens).

There is a $250 per year "aggressive dog" permit. Your dog could be declared
"aggressive" for fence charging or for "Frequently assuming a threatening
posture toward people." Very subjective measures that do not require a dog leave
his yard or bite a person. Remember, state law already allows a dog to be
declared dangerous even if it does not bite a person, but it needs to be outside
his enclosure.

We need more than 1 Fort Worth resident to get involved, so please act today.

Thanks!