“No Kill” is a common buzzword these days for animal shelters. The “Ray of Hope” program which is a joint venture of KCK AC and the Humane Society of Greater KC has received many accolades for lowering the kill rate of our city’s healthy dogs/cats in our city shelter. But is our city truly a No Kill community? “True” No Kill Communities are saving lives “and” protecting the public they serve.
So why did a mother whose child suffered serious dog bites have to contact the local media for help? Why wasn’t public safety a priority? Why doesn’t KCK AC have measureable statistics available that present real data on dog bites, response times to calls about dangerous animals – the fire department, the main police department provide stats in year end city reports. Our AC provides nothing…
When citizens complained about the overzealous enforcement of KCK AC, confiscating any and all dogs that had short hair, and a blocky head was anything done? No. Citizens whose dogs were not a problem, citizens whose dogs were at home asleep in their dog beds were harassed, their dogs confiscated and killed. Other citizens were forced to sign confessions to get their dogs out of the city pound after being seized for being of a certain “look” and spend thousands of dollars in legal fees. Pet owners contacted Commissioner Pettey to complain about the forced confessions. Pet owners presented facts to the Public Works and Safety Committee and got nothing.
When a disabled woman approached the City “and” the Public Works and Safety Committee, spearheaded by Commissioner Holland, about being ticketed for her American Staffordshire “Service Dog” did she get any help? No. The result – the disabled woman was found guilty, fined $1,000, and as a result has an outstanding bench warrant for her arrest because she can’t pay the fine.
When the Northeast Neighborhood Group approached former Mayor Marinovich with their concerns about stray dogs and biting dogs what ensued? Did City Commissioner Barnes go to bat for his district? No. This neighborhood is still underserved. AC still does not respond to citizens’ calls about dangerous dogs, despite numerous phone calls.
What about the sweeps targeting poor people who can’t afford to get their pets altered? Between the fines, the cost to “fix” their pets, these pet owners can’t afford to keep their pets even with a voucher. The cost of owning a pet in KCK is getting as outrageous as the Taxes and the BPU bill. There’s a better way, let’s reward Animal Control for how many vouchers they issue - not fines.
The success of the “Ray of Hope” program depends on adopters and foster homes to be able to take in pets to keep the kill rate low. How many Dottes would love to adopt another dog or foster, but are prohibited by the city’s strict 2 dog limit? Even though the State of Kansas issues Foster Licenses/ Rescue Permits and inspects rescue homes, the city’s red tape and cost to obtain a special use permit are cost prohibitive for foster homes.
Why aren’t our city leaders attending Animal Control and Animal Welfare conferences they have been invited to, that provide solutions to these problems? The Canine Legislation Conference hosted by KC Dog Advocates, the Dangerous Dog Seminar hosted by Kansas University SALDF have all extended invites to the city’s leaders with no response.
Wyandotte County responsible pet owners, it’s time to step up to the plate. It’s time to head to the polls and Vote; vote for city leaders that care about public safety, vote for city leaders that respect the rights of responsible pet/horse owners, vote for city leaders that embrace the “No Kill” movement for our city’s stray/adoptable pets.
Make no mistake – KCK is not a No Kill city, county or community. You cannot arbitrarily kick dogs of a certain “look” out of your city, putting the burden on surrounding communities to save them and say you’re No Kill. You cannot canvas neighborhoods doleing out $50 - $500 fines that force some people to give up their pets and call yourselves No Kill. You cannot harass the disabled in violation of the ADA and force them to move That’s just not the way it works…
www.kcdogadvocates.org