What the Louisville Decision Means To Dog Lovers...

"Permission to cross-post."
Tina Perriguey wrote, "I'm on the phone with Barbara Haines, Louisville Kennel Club. We've been waiting for this decision for almost a year, but it was worth the wait.

This ruling by a federal judge (an esteemed Constitutional scholar) is a profound victory. This precedent has far-reaching implications, and sets the stage for class-action lawsuits nationwide - anywhere similar ordinances have been enacted, and Constitutional rights of pet owners have been violated."

Highlights of the FEDERAL ruling:

1. Pets are personal property under the Constitution. Due process, search and seizure, etc.. (all protections provided by Constitution) rights and laws apply to your pets. You are the OWNER of your pets (not the "guardian."). Therefore, some unknown ambulance chasing attorney cannot file suit against you "on behalf of (your) dog" as proposed by PeTA/HSUS!

2. Requirements for housing, treatment, etc.. cannot be mandated by legislation to be different for intact dogs (vs. altered dogs.). REMEMBER, we ALREADY have animal cruelty laws which, WHEN & IF enforced, protect all animals!

3. Seizure bond is FLAT-OUT illegal and unconstitutional. This practice constitutes unlawful taking of personal property. If, after a search warrant is obtained, a person is arrested and their dogs are seized, their dogs must be held AS IS (cannot be sterilized while held, cannot be sold, "transferred" or euthanized) unless the owner is found guilty after trial. Meantime, owner DOES NOT have to pay a dime for their care, until/unless they are found guilty of the charges. Hopefully this will give pause to "well meaning" government officials who hope to profit from your hardship or have swallowed the PeTA/HSUS doctrine regarding the extinction of all domestic animals.