tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663852.post3134193076601122048..comments2008-04-18T10:10:57.416-07:00Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08304470271355715163noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663852.post-49267321063385233972008-04-18T10:10:00.000-07:002008-04-18T10:10:00.000-07:00Hey Pat...I've only spoken to one trustee (as was posted). He is willing to hear my concerns, but I don't think he's sympathetic to my objection.<BR/><BR/>You're right, of course, that this not very enforceable except where someone makes a complaint. For me, it is more about the principle of how badly (in terms of being overly broad and arbitrary) the ordinance is written. It's hardly unique in that matter, but here's one that I could possible have an effect on.Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08304470271355715163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663852.post-5212154638995017952008-04-18T08:28:00.000-07:002008-04-18T08:28:00.000-07:00For the record, I agree with your position. But let's think about the actual purpose and effect of the ordinance.<BR/><BR/>They're not going to do random inspections to verify compliance. The ordinance will only ever be enforced upon specific complaint. You have two dogs and three cats and one poops on my lawn, now I can call the cops with a violation. <BR/><BR/>You have 23 cats and your house stinks of urine and the odor is making my kids sick, but the cats are all inside and I have no evidence that they're being mistreated, the ordinance gives me a cause for complaint. <BR/><BR/>Or more likely, the ordinance gives govt. agencies, social services, the fire dept., etc... a means by which they can clean out the animals.<BR/><BR/>Here in Kingston, we have an ordinance that limits the number of animals you can house within the city limits. Over a certain number or type and you're a farm and in violation of zoning ordinances.<BR/><BR/>Given that a large majority of your fellow citizens likely approve of zoning ordinances and health regulations, the political trick is to find a way to write an ordinance that punishes excessive or dangerous behavior while leaving innocent pet owners unmolested. Which is probably pretty hard, and probably why they got what they did. -- Not to say that they couldn't have done better, but just that this is a clean and simple, low-cost solution. Sometimes the Alexandrian approach is the right one...<BR/><BR/>Are any of the trustees sympathetic to your position?Patrick Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721463718923250441noreply@blogger.com