We, the citizens of Anchorage, Alaska, are concerned about the wording in Title 17 that allows dogs to be euthanized for something as minor as breaking into a neighbors yard and killing their pet rabbit. This is classified as level 4 when “an unrestrained animal kills a domestic animal that is restrained.” Title 17 states “animal determined by the chief animal control officer, in consultation with a licensed veterinarian, exhibiting behavior described under Section 17.40.020A as level 3, 4, or 5 that could pose a threat to another animal or the public health, safety and welfare” should be euthanized. While bunnies are very special pets, dogs often see bunnies in the wild and try to chase them. This is pretty normal behavior for a lot of breeds. They can be trained and should be given a second chance to receive the training that could prevent them from harming another pet. A first offense shouldn’t be an automatic death sentence. Just as a classified dog must be contained in a kennel or restrained on a leash, a third requirement would be to complete training within a set period and demonstrate their new self-control to an animal control officer.
Updates
September 22, 2020
I have been reading through the stories you all are sharing about your own pets and the heartbreak is truly overwhelming. It is clear that so many of you believe in second chances for these dogs just as much as I do. Please know that I am working hard to get these concerns in front of the right people.
September 22, 2020
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many people care about this because I truly started this out of a quiet frustration in my own home. Seeing this momentum grow proves that so many of you believe these animals deserve a real chance at training instead of a final sentence. This development belongs to all of you who took the time to read and speak up.
13 Comments
Pets shouldn't have to be punished/euthanized for their owners errors or human bad judgement!
Animals deserve a second chance too! Many "pet owners" see their animals as family and it is heartbreaking to see them punished as harshly as they presently are by the system as it stands currently.
This is total BS. It’s not the pats fault at all. They are doing what comes natural. The owner shyness punished with a fine. If the it happens again, double the fine. And a strike 3....remove the pet and rehome with a new family. There is absolutely NO REASON to murder the pet
I believe they should be able to be trained first if training fails or they exhibit the same behavior again after training then there can be thought of euthanizing.
Agree 100%...we should do better Alaska. Animals are just that Animals and have instincts. They should be given at least a second chance to be trained better.
These are gentle giants. What was done was akin to theft and kidnapping. We, as owners, are the caregivers that God has entrusted with the welfare of these children. They are domesticated. What happened was not purposeful, it was accidental.
This is absolutely HORRIFIC! Let’s Please stop this brutality!
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We, the citizens of Anchorage, Alaska, are concerned about the wording in Title 17 that allows dogs to be euthanized for something as minor as breaking into a neighbors yard and killing their pet rabbit. This is classified as level 4 when “an unrestrained animal kills a domestic animal that is restrained.” Title 17 states “animal determined by the chief animal control officer, in consultation with a licensed veterinarian, exhibiting behavior described under Section 17.40.020A as level 3, 4, or 5 that could pose a threat to another animal or the public health, safety and welfare” should be euthanized. While bunnies are very special pets, dogs often see bunnies in the wild and try to chase them. This is pretty normal behavior for a lot of breeds. They can be trained and should be given a second chance to receive the training that could prevent them from harming another pet. A first offense shouldn’t be an automatic death sentence. Just as a classified dog must be contained in a kennel or restrained on a leash, a third requirement would be to complete training within a set period and demonstrate their new self-control to an animal control officer.
Updates
September 22, 2020
I have been reading through the stories you all are sharing about your own pets and the heartbreak is truly overwhelming. It is clear that so many of you believe in second chances for these dogs just as much as I do. Please know that I am working hard to get these concerns in front of the right people.
September 22, 2020
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many people care about this because I truly started this out of a quiet frustration in my own home. Seeing this momentum grow proves that so many of you believe these animals deserve a real chance at training instead of a final sentence. This development belongs to all of you who took the time to read and speak up.
13 Comments
A lot of dogs see small animals as prey & it doesn’t mean they are mean it just means they have a high prey drive.
Pets shouldn't have to be punished/euthanized for their owners errors or human bad judgement!
Animals deserve a second chance too! Many "pet owners" see their animals as family and it is heartbreaking to see them punished as harshly as they presently are by the system as it stands currently.
This is total BS. It’s not the pats fault at all. They are doing what comes natural. The owner shyness punished with a fine. If the it happens again, double the fine. And a strike 3....remove the pet and rehome with a new family. There is absolutely NO REASON to murder the pet
I believe they should be able to be trained first if training fails or they exhibit the same behavior again after training then there can be thought of euthanizing.
Agree 100%...we should do better Alaska. Animals are just that Animals and have instincts. They should be given at least a second chance to be trained better.
These are gentle giants. What was done was akin to theft and kidnapping. We, as owners, are the caregivers that God has entrusted with the welfare of these children. They are domesticated. What happened was not purposeful, it was accidental.
This is absolutely HORRIFIC! Let’s Please stop this brutality!
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A lot of dogs see small animals as prey & it doesn’t mean they are mean it just means they have a high prey drive.