The Texarkana, Ark., City Board of Directors got a lot of applause last week for passing an ordinance that bans the chaining of dogs to stationary objects, something that limits movement and critics say is cruel.
Well, most of the board drew praise, that is.
The vote was 6-1. Ward 3 Director Laney Harris cast the sole dissenting vote. Harris is critical of a provision in the law that allows animal control officers to seize dogs from their owners without a court order, provided the owner has already received a warning and 10 days have passed without compliance.
While we can understand Harris' concern over property rights, in this case we think they are misplaced.
We are talking about a situation where an animal is being treated in what many consider a cruel manner. Maybe some disagree with that. But few would argue that chaining a dog is in a dog's best interests.
In any case, before a dog can be seized for its own protection, an owner will have been warned and given time to correct the situation. If the owner is not willing to do so, then maybe he or she isn't the type of individual who should have an animal dependent on them. The dog should be taken for protection as soon as possible and if the owner objects, there is always the option of going to court. A judge can make the final call.
This isn't a question of property rights. It's a question of treating dogs in a humane manner. We support the new law. And we are happy the majority of the city board understood what was really important.