If the bill passes, then Michigan will join 16 other states where these crimes are all on that higher level.  Usually, if someone is charged with a felony, the consequences are considerably stiffer.  Many people charged with felonies not only get hit with pretty steep fines, but many also carry a minimum of jail time as well.

If an animal dies in a hot car in Michigan, and you are responsible, you could face up to $5,000.  Depending on other circumstances in the situation, you could catch a year behind bars and a $1,000 fine.  Just like many other felonies, the punishment will depend on exactly what happens to the animal while they are in the vehicle and at a judge’s discretion.

Those two sentences are among the highest that could be levied against someone.  Many first time offenders will be hit with either a $350 fine, and/or 30-60 days in jail.  There’s even a “second time offender’s” level, which has up to three months in jail and a $500 fine.

Please remember, even with cracked windows and the vehicle running, there’s no guarantee that your pet will be OK while locked up in there.  If you have to travel with pets, there are responsible ways to do so, which will also help you avoid legal problems that no one really wants to deal with.

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With the new rules, restaurant owners will not have to ask someone with their dog for paperwork.  This was a major sticking point that required anyone who does bring a dog with them, must also paperwork on the dog’s health status (updated shots for example) and license status on paper with them.  Now, that’s no longer an issue.

Now, restaurant owners will simply have to post visible signs that inform people wishing to dine with their dogs, that this information is something that they are required to have with them.  However, there won’t be a checkpoint set up to check everyone’s dog out individually.

“I’m so pleased that the city Department of Health threw dog lovers a bone,” said Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan).  She sponsored the law to allow dining with dogs.  “These proposed regulations are common sense measures designed to protect the public health while allowing New Yorkers to dine with their dogs.”

The health department is also satisfied with the new rules as well.  Health Commissioner Mary Bassett said, “[The new rules] ensure that restaurant patrons can bring their dogs to outdoor areas, while also keeping other diners protected.”

The other rules will not be changing.  Dogs are still to be kept in outdoor dining areas, and kept away from people walking by the restaurant with or without other pets, dogs are still not to come into contact with eating or table surface, and dogs still not become an obstruction for people moving in the dining area.  However, there won’t have to be specially build barriers and checkpoints to go from one place to another once inside.

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Neighbors and residents said the dog could be seen on the 16^th floor balcony of an apartment.  It was very cold outside, and witnesses said that the dog was trying frantically to get back into the apartment.  Apparently, the dog’s human was not in the apartment at the time, but decided that the balcony was going to be an OK place to keep the dog, despite the frigid temperatures.

Someone put pictures and information about the dog on social media website.  That set off a domino effect that lead to tons of posts all over social media outlets about what was going on.  It was only a matter of time before someone called the police in.

They did show up to the apartment, and finally did get a hold of the person living there.  The people that live in the building and in the surrounding area relentlessly called law enforcement of every kind, trying to get someone to at very least let the dog in.  The dog was put back in the apartment, but that was as far as law enforcement could take things.

The police filed a report, and advised the person that should something of this nature, or anything that could be considered neglect or abuse will be very bad for them, legally.  At this time, the dog is still there, but that hasn’t stopped people from commenting on social media.  Many believe that the dog should have been removed, but given that there were no prior reports of animal neglect or abuse by the resident in question, the warning is the best they could do.

Todd Hofley is the president of the Liberty Village Residents Association (you can click the link to view the Facebook page).  Since the incident occurred at the complex, he has proposed a new set of regulations.

“I will bring forward a potential template for pet owners that stipulates if there is reasonable belief that their pet is in immediate and life threatening danger because of getting outside that the condominium corporation has the right to enter the unit and bring the animal inside,” said Hofley on Facebook.

What do you think?  Those of us that live in colder climates would assume that not putting your dog outdoors in the cold for hours while you leave is simply common sense.  How far would you go to save a dog’s life?  Have you, or has anyone you know had to call law enforcement because of someone else’s neglect?  Share your stories with us and your fellow Life With Dogs fans right here in the comment section below, or on our Facebook page, which you can view by clicking here.

Special thanks to The Dodo for sharing the story.  To see their article on what to do if you see a dog chained up outside in the cold, click here.

The post Neighbors Save Dog Locked Outdoors on 16th Floor of Building appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

In New York City, laws were recently passed that allowed people to dine at restaurants in the area with their dogs, as long as they followed a specific set of rules.  Now, supporters of the legislation are accusing local health officials of scrambling to do anything they can to make the practice very difficult.

“Just because the city opposes this law does not mean they are allowed to neuter it through onerous regulation,” said state Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan).  Rosenthal was a big sponsor of the laws before they were signed in.

The local health department seems to be making an attempt at coming up with stiffer and stiffer regulations to deter people bringing their dogs to eat with them.  Almost as if they want to make it so difficult to actually do, that people will simply give up.

The new regulations could see restaurant owners being forced to check for proper licensing of the dog.  If the license can’t be validated, then the dog and their human will be denied service.  There will also be new stipulations stating that new barriers must be built at the restaurant, further confining the dogs to a smaller and smaller space.  The dogs would not be able to touch any of the tables or chairs in any way, and must not be in a required 36-inch buffer zone surrounding the tables.  Finally, there will be new required signage that will need to be posted, advising that dogs are on the property and that they must remain outdoors at all times.

Edita Birnkrant with the Friends of Animals said, “It is killing the spirit of the bill in that it is making it virtually impossible for restaurants to allow people to bring their dogs.”

The Health Department for NYC has issued a statement highlighting the health and safety of both diners and passersby.  The public has a say in whether or not the new regulations will be taking effect.  A hearing is scheduled for January 26^th at the Long Island offices of the Health Department.

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Yesterday, Pulaski County Jude Herbert Wright said he would be holding off on making the decision in an effort to get more information  He is requesting that both the defense and the city show documentation and reasons why he should be deciding in that party’s favor.  The interest in fairness is a good thing, however it’s making life rougher than it should be for a little girl and her family.

“Ahmeha is regressing and it’s kind of making things a lot worse on us at home,” Amanda said just after leaving the court room Monday.  “Since her service dog Edith was taken away, Ahmeha has been diagnosed as depressed.”

The Family’s lawyer, Clint Lancaster said that the issue is a tricky one, and quite unusual considering all involved.

“You know I think it is a very unique issue,” said Lancaster.  “It’s not something you see every day especially in a criminal case.”  Lancaster also said that there have been protesters trying to sway the judge in the family’s favor as well, and voicing their opposition to breed specific legislation in the city.

“If you do not make an accommodation in your BSL for service animals or emotional support animals, then you’re violating the FHA and the laws are very, very clear on that in our opinion,” Lancaster said.

Due to the judge’s call on Monday, this extends things for at least one more month, and Amanda Simmons is worried about what it is doing to her daughter.

“She doesn’t want my comfort and support she just wants her dog. She just wants her dog,” said Amanda Simmons.

Robert Bamburg, attorney for the City of Jacksonville declined to comment on the situation.  The next court date is set for February 7^th.

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Sweet Pea is a former bait dog that has been rescued.  She will be the first of hopefully many former fighting dogs that will benefit from the “New Leash on Life USA Program” aimed at giving these dogs a second chance at a good life.

The program will be using prison inmates to train these dogs.  Not only is it good for the dog to know that not every human out there is going to abuse, but it helps with the inmates as well.

The inmates will be with the dogs 4 hours a day, for a total of 12 weeks.  After that, Sweet Pea will be taking the Canine Good Citizen test, which will dictate how well suited to being adopted out to family she is.

“Sweet Pea tugs at the hearts of everyone she meets,” said Kathy McGuire. McGuire is the president and founder of NJ Aid for Animals.  “We understand the trauma and hardship the dogs we rescue have endured.  NJ Aid for Animals looks at the whole dog – body, mind, and spirit.  We’re confident the New Leash on Life USA program will bring out the best in [Sweet Pea].”

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