The National Humane
Education Society
August 2016
While federal and state legislation is crucial to the future of animal welfare, advocates should be mindful not to overlook the potential for progressive new animal welfare laws right under their noses: the local ordinances.
If you follow animal welfare legislation (and we hope you do!) from time
to time you have probably noticed headlines on social media calling for
sweeping new federal animal welfare reforms. While the passage of state and
federal legislation is obviously important, animal welfare legislation is
not introduced often on a state or federal level, and when a new bill is
written, odds are high the bill will die in committee. While federal and
state legislation is crucial to the future of animal welfare, advocates
should be mindful not to overlook the potential for progressive new animal
welfare laws right under their noses: the local ordinances.
What are ordinances and who creates them?
Ordinances are local laws voted upon by a city council or city
commissioners. In major cities, each city council member oversees the
interests of his or her own district. In more sparsely populated areas,
ordinances are voted upon by county commissions. Anyone can propose an
ordinance, but new ordinances are often proposed by council members
themselves.
What are examples of animal welfare ordinances?
Some of the influential new ordinances being passed in cities around the
U.S. include the banning of the retail sale of dogs and cats pet stores,
limits on the number of hours a dog can be tethered outside, and bans on
exotic animal performances.
Why are ordinances easier to pass than state and federal laws?
Unlike a federal law or state law, which must represent the attitudes of
the entire country or state, local ordinances only apply to a single city or
county. For example, in 2015 progressive-oriented Asheville, North Carolina
passed an ordinance to keep animal circuses out of town. While widely
supported in Asheville, this kind of ban would likely get very little
support among the collective citizens of North Carolina. That said, while an
ordinance may affect only a small geographic area, passage of a local law is
likely to incur a domino effect. When one municipality passes an ordinance
to protect animals, neighboring areas are likely to follow suit.
How can I learn about ordinances in my community affecting animals?
To learn about the animal welfare ordinances in your community, call your local animal control, city council, or county commission. Council meetings are open to the public, and transcripts or recordings of meetings are often available for the public to view on city websites. Be sure to stay updated on new and proposed ordinances throughout the U.S. and check out the NHES Paws Up/Paws Down blog.
Return to Animal Rights Articles