What's best for Athens pets
Apr. 20, 2004Athens City Council postponed discussing a new ordinance aimed at controlling the pet population Monday night, but before you decide to buy a puppy for entertainment in Spring weather, you should understand the ordinance it will consider. As it stood, the law would have made it mandatory for all pets to be spayed and neutered, except in special circumstances, and all animals to be fitted with tracking microchips. A name, address and telephone number would be included in the surgically implanted chip that, when scanned, gives animal rescuers information needed to contact the rightful owner. Council was correct in sending the ordinance back to committee for discussion. Before they decide to implant a microchip in the beloved family pet, council members need to focus on the first part of the ordinance, enforcing mandatory sterilization.
