DIMANCHE

Photo: Micheal Rieger/Public Domain

According to New Orleans City Councillor Susan Guidry, it's time for the feral and the furry to get equal protection under the law. The District A Councilwoman is proposing a slate of changes to the city's pet protection laws that would "bring our city laws for pet care and control in line with modern practices, and will allow the LA-SPCA to carry out its animal control duties in a more effective and efficient manner," Guidry said.

The changes include prohibiting cats and dogs from being kept outside during extreme weather, institutes new vaccination requirements and promotes spaying and neutering of pets. There's also changes that allow for coralled feral cats to be spade or neutered, and released back to the public.

Proving once again why they're known for being attention-seekers, canines get the bulk of the attention under the new laws. A set of new requirements governs how a dog must be tethered to an overhead line. The regulations would require a dog to have 30 ft. to wander, and specific collars that wouldn't choke.

A large portion of the changes deal with regulations of dogs that are chasing people and attacking them. The ordinance sets new standards for when a dog is considered potentially dangerous v. dangerous. A dog is potentially dangerous when it bites someone in public, or chases them. It is dangerous when it bites them causing a "moderate" injury, commits a second offense after being classified as potentially dangerous, or injures a mail carrier, meter reader, delivery person or other such visitor.

The ordinance also lays out new regulations for handling dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs, including when a muzzle is required, and how to house a dangerous dog.

Two upcoming meetings will offer citizens a chance for trips to vet the ordinance. On Thursday night at 6 p.m., the LA-SPCA is hosting a meeting at their Algiers facility (1700 Mardi Gras Blvd.). Guidry will also continue hearings on the ordinance, which began last month, at the Nov. 5 City Council Governmental Affairs Committee Meeting. That meeting will be held in the City Council chambers at 10 a.m.

The full Council is expected to take up the ordinance for a vote at its Nov. 15 meeting.