When the operators of animal shelters feel crunched, the trouble seems to fall on the animals, at least according to the Human Society, which, as Scott Nishimura reports for the Star-Telegram, is none too pleased about recent changes to animal control policy in Fort Worth.
The dog bite quarantine policy, for instance, is changing, though it’s not clear whether it’s for better or for worse. If your dog bites another person, your dog will be required to go through a quarantine, which can take place at the animal control shelter or elsewhere in private quarantine (presumably in the dog owner’s home).
Looking at the situation more broadly, the number of animals coming into the shelter every year has increased to beyond capacity – 25,000 estimated this year, or more than a 20,000 increase from two years ago – which is why the policy is changing.
Other major changes include not accepting the surrender of healthy animals. “We’ve made it too easy for people to just give up on their pets,” said the code compliance director, as Nishimura reports.
From the point of view of someone attacked by an animal, strict quarantine policy in dog bite cases makes sense. If the dog has rabies, or there is no evidence of a rabies vaccine, the dog poses a risk to health and safety in the community.
Source: Humane Society doesn’t like Fort Worth’s new animal control policy