[MR] Woof! Good citizen

[Kelly Keck]

On 9/27/06, mathilde at mathildegirlgenius.com <mathilde at mathildegirlgenius.com>
wrote:
>
> I'm the one who originally suggested the "good citizen" certificate. In an
> area
> that I used to live, there was a woman who brought her yippy little dog to
> events, and tied it under a tree with no water. Because of this abuse,
> dogs
> were banned at certain events. If it came down to having dogs banned, I'd
> rather see this, or something similar, as an alternative. Obviously, I'd
> MUCH
> rather owners were simply responsible and it wouldn't be needed.


I would also rather see something like that, if it was a choice between that
and banning animals at events where they'd otherwise be allowed.

In the case you mentioned, though, since it's an individual incident, it
seems like something that needs to be dealt with on an individual level.
Maybe an event autocrat would need to explain to that person that if she
can't take care of the dog at the event, she can't bring the dog to the
event.  I'd hate to be the autocrat in that unpleasant position, but I think
it would be necessary.  I'd probably also mention to the person that I would
hate to have to report her for animal abuse but that that would be necessary
if she doesn't take care of her pet.

Personally, I think a lot of the problems people have mentioned with animals
at events could be handled at the individual level of particular pets and
owners, rather than requiring more rules, regulations, or paperwork.

YIS,
Adriana