For whatever reason, I have encountered many stray dogs since moving to Bend. During the most recent encounter, I waited with the dog for an hour, hoping the owner would come looking. Instead, it was animal control. I could have let the dog go in the parking garage while teenagers raced the Autobahn, but chose to hang out and ensure a safe outcome. Having spent several hours in this situation, with several very sweet dogs, these are my comments:
To the City of Bend,
The $520 fine for a stray dog in the city limits is hyper excessive, especially in these economic times. This will only ensure that owners with limited funding will likely not claim their dogs from the shelter. What is likely to happen is these dogs, most of which have been older dogs, will not get a chance at adoption. Why not a fine and community service combo? Or some other options for those who may not have the funds, but still want their dog back? I fully agree there needs to be a penalty, but $520?!
To the irresponsible pet owners whose dogs I am spending so much time with,
A current dog tag will cost you less than $10. With that tag, I can actually call you instead of animal control. You can come and pick up your dog, and get a few choice words from me, rather than face leaving your dog at the shelter because you can’t, or won’t, afford the fine. In addition, stop taking up other people’s time with your irresponsibility. I care enough not to let your dog get hit by a car or cause an accident; you should be doing the same.
Two of the dogs are still waiting at the Humane Society of Central Oregon. Both have been there for weeks.
– Steph Spencer, Bend
This article appears in May 26 – Jun 1, 2011.
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I agree. Since moving here from California I have been shocked at the fines the county charges for picking up dogs and traffic tickets as well. It seems to me like too much of a revenue source for the county, and I wonder if this revenue source is used in any way to help the particular problem the fine was charged for. My son’s dog got out while we were all down in the California for a grandmother’s funeral. His roommate was caring for the dog who lived in a fully fenced yard. Well someone left the gate open, and the dog got out, evidently got into someone’s yard that had chickens, and that property owner shot this beautiful dog in the head. My son (not the roommate responsible at the time) was charged over $800 which he could not afford. Excessive, unreasonable, and unfair!
$520 fine if your dog isn’t licensed!?! I immediately called the humane society after reading this, I was certain it was some sort of typo, a mistake had been made. But no, they confirmed it. It is a $522 fine if your dog is caught running around without a license and that doesn’t include the $20 impound fee you pay the animal shelter or the $15 they charge for room and board every day your dog is there. It would be cheaper to just go by the shelter pretending you’d never seen the dog before in your life and pay $85 to adopt it.
From the justice system to the dog kennel, the more money you have the easier it is to buy your way out. Problem is that the dog is the loser in the above mentioned letter. Lock up the owners (the responsible party) instead. I agree whole heartedly that community work is far more productive and also a better lesson than a fine that is totally beyond belief.