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The city of Pleasanton is adopting new laws to help protect pets, and to reduce the amount of trash that goes to landfills.
The city is putting some teeth into laws about leaving dogs in unattended vehicles. It’s adapted state law that will allow an officer to issue a citation to anyone who leaves a dog in a hot car.
Animal Control Officer Kristen Hart said first time fines are $100, but can go up to $750 on a fourth offense.
Hart said the Police Department has a digital thermometer that can read a temperature inside a car.
On a hot day, she said, dogs “can suffer heat stroke and even die.” That’s not only in summer. Hart said the inside temperature of a car can be 30 degrees hotter than outdoors, and since dogs cool themselves by panting, if they’re locked in a car, they’ll be breathing in warm air.
The new municipal code also protects animals if they’re locked outside on a hot day.
It says, in part, that owners need to keep pets from conditions that “endanger the health or well-being of the animal due to heat, cold, lack of proper and adequate shelter and protection from the elements, lack of adequate ventilation, or lack of food or water, or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering…”
Hart says people aren’t hesitant to call police if they see an animal locked in a car, and that some days, she gets as many as three calls about the issue, mostly regarding cars parked at the mall or downtown.
“It’s a hot topic. A lot of people get heated over it,” she said.
The new city codes also can let police intervene if a pet is ill and left untreated. It says in part, that animals “requiring medical attention shall be taken for examination or treatment to a veterinarian at the owner’s expense if the Chief of Police finds that an examination or treatment is necessary…”
Hart said the reason for the new codes is that the courts are so backed up with crimes against people that they don’t have time to consider animal cases. With the new codes in place, however, when someone has a documented past of not caring for a pet — meaning someone who has had multiple citations issued — the Police Department can ask the District Attorney’s Office to file animal abuse charges.
Although it’s unnecessary for most pet owners, the new codes also require owners to provide a proper diet, too. That new code section reads, “The food shall be wholesome, palatable, free from contamination, and of sufficient quantity and nutritive value to meet the normal daily requirements for the condition and size of the animal…”
In an unrelated food matter, as of July 1, restaurants in Pleasanton will be required to use recyclable containers for takeout food.
That new law was put in place to get rid of Styrofoam containers; many takeout restaurant have already switched to cardboard containers.
My hat is off to Kristen Hart (Pleasanton Animal Control officer)..this is a really good thing that Pleasanton is doing..As a longtime dog owner in pleasanton (2 dogs..lived here for 24 years), I have seen this FAR, FAR to often. Folks think that “I’m just running into a store for a moment, they will be fine”..not realizing just how quickly it heats up in the car…that last hot weekend where it hit 100 plus, I saw a dog left in a car by Fresh and Easy..I was getting ready to go into the store and see if I could find the owner, when she came out. People, pleaswe pay atention to this so that nothing happens to your canine family member.. Thank you all…
The pet food law seems excessive. It states “The food shall be wholesome.” Who makes that determination? A parent can feed their kids hamburgers, fries, sodas and shakes every day, making the kids obese and that is ok as long as your pet has a wholesome diet.
Good job on the pet safety laws. Now put some on the books — and enforce them! — about NOT taking dogs where they don’t belong. Like into food stores, restaurants and other retail stores that are not specifically for dogs.
Get a brain dog owners, your dogs do NOT belong everywhere.
Now if we can only create a law and enforce parents bringing their tantrum prone, screaming, 8th place participation award winning offspring where THEY don’t belong.
Like into food stores, restaurants, Concerts In The Park, 1st Wednesdays, movie theaters, retail stores, etc.
“ON” a hot car? How can I stop a dog from jumping on a hot car? Now I surely can not leave a dog “IN” a hot car.
If you want to start enforcing laws how about enforcing the leash law in the sports park. So many times while walking there I have had someones dog run up to me. The owner has no control over the dog and most times is quite a distance away.
We do have a leash law and what makes people think it doesn’t apply to them. Comments often heard are oh animal control is never in the park, my dog is friendly, he won’t bite…..
Put you dogs on a leash people, its the LAW!
Fran — I agree completely. My sister was bitten in the face, and has scars decades later, by a “friendly dog that would never bite”. I have perfected the field goal style kick and I let fly with it as soon as any dog gets close enough to be in my personal space. It’s a matter of protection and I really don’t care how friendly your dog is. If the dog is illegally off leash I will kick it to kingdom come if given any opportunity. Actually, I would be happier to kick the owner but unfortunately that might not be legal.
Leash your animals and keep them away from where they do not belong!
The Sports Park is a haven for unleashed dogs!
And God forbid you ask someone to leash their dog.
People only care about what’s important to them.
I don’t want some dog running up to me, friendly or not.
I agree it’s about the law. We have one and why in the world it’s not enforced is beyond me!
I work in the San Ramon area and I frequent the Starbuck’s off of Camino Ramon Place and Crow Canyon and often an older man brings his smelly supposed “service dog” into Starbuck’s and lets it lay under his table he’s sitting at. I have a dog, a place where food is served is NOT a place for a dog or animal of any sort. The smell of this dog when you walk into Starbuck’s is totally disgusting. I guess the owner has never heard of shampoo or soap for dogs, or even taking it to a groomer for a bath. This dog is NOT a Service Dog. The owner found some half-assed jacket for the dog and tries to make people believe it’s a “Service Dog.” I do not understand why Starbuck’s allows this dog in the store. The dog I’m describing sort of looks like an older lab, not sure though.
It STINKS, Pew!
APPLAUSE TO @GEENEYUSS….SO SICK OF THESE COMMENTS ABOUT LEASHING UP YOUR DOGS AND WHERE IS ANIMAL CONTROL WHEN YOU NEED THEM …..I WOULD LIKE A LAW THAT STATES BRATTY ASS CHILDREN AREN’T WELCOME IN CERTAIN PLACES AND IF THEY HAVE A MELTDOWN THE PARENT GETS A TICKET ! REALLY , I AM SO SICK OF DISRESPECTFUL PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN ….IF WE CAN’T BRING OUR WELL BEHAVED DOGS INTO CERTAIN PLACES , THEN THE SAME THING SHOULD BE IN PLACE FOR KIDS …TOO BAD THE USA IS NOT LIKE EUROPE IN TERMS OF ANIMAL ORDINANCES …SO GLAD PLEASANTON IS MOVING A STEP FORWARD TO PROTECTING OUR ANIMALS ….
Where does it say that we have to feed our children wholesome, platable, freed of contanimation and of sufficient quality & nutrition value to meet the normal daily requirements. I don’t believe in mistreating animals but the Police should not be involved unless it is pure animal abuse. let’s take care of our children before we start worrying about dogs. They survived for hundreds of years without the Police deciding that they could make more money by fining pet owners. People, wake up and smell the coffee. We are being taken for a ride. Take your blinders off – please.
I want to know how they will enforce the “make sure theyre getting wholesome nutritional food. ate they knocking on everyones door asking what kind of dog food your feeding?
My neighbor has a sick goldfish. Now I can call the cops on them for not bringing it to a vet to get it proper care.
@ “Resident” I truly feel sorry for you and the rage and hatred for animals that spews from your soul.
I sincerely hope that there is a lawyer in your family, you are a walking (kicking) lawsuit waiting to happen.
I can see the point “Residence” is making. You can never be 100% certain of an animal’s intention when it approaches you. As an experienced a dog handler, I am in a better position than most to make some assumptions, but you never know. For a person who is not used to dealing with dogs, an approaching dog is a threat.
I have 2 boxers — both very friendly, except toward other small dogs. We raised them from puppies and when they were younger they had no problem playing with smaller dogs. Things changed when other small off-leash dogs in the neighborhood began approaching our fence and gate, yipping away, and antagonizing our dogs. Now, my “friendly” dogs are a question. We were walking them in the sports park and one broke free from his collar and headed towards a couple women walking a small dog. I sprinted and tackled my 70lb boxer because I didnt want to find out what the outcome might be if I didnt.
@ Joyce R — You dont get to decide when someone else feels threatened. If you were walking through the park and someone carrying 24 sharp instruments all of a sudden walked up to you and got in your face, would you feel threatened? Would it really matter if he had a smile on his face.
All dog owner need to recognize that not everyone likes dogs. They need to keep them leashed and in control. I too, have positioned myself to “kick the crap out of an approaching dog”. You never know and I would never want to be on the wrong side of finding out.
I like the way they do it in France-the dogs are allowed in many restaurants, food is excellent quality…fewer Puritanistic People! 😉 The US is do full of people who disinfect everything and are so fearful of a little diet or a few germs! So funny. By being TOO clean…don’t even worry about those Super Bugs out there…the little germs/”bugs” will get you first. Had a paranoid relative-so terrified of germs…common cold got him…at a young age!
Less discrimination towards animals…humans can be much more destructive, dirty, and do on!
Points about leash-free dogs:
Pleasanton needs more leash-free zones and parks for dogs. The park filled with Tan bark is awful and far across town. Other cities have at least two and even up to four leash-free park areas for dogs.
Dublin has a nice park and Livermore takes even better care if our “man’s best friends.” Livermore also makes sure the dogs have shade and greenery as well as shaded places for owners and their pals to rest.
Pleasanton can certainly improve in this area. Re: the Sports Park…it is SO large…certainly space can be created for a dog run. Since some people above complained about leash-free dogs there…obviously there is a NEED for space for owners and their dogs…so make the space-thanks!!!!!!
Pet Food? How are WE to regulate our Pst’s food when our OWN government will not and cannot do so????!!!!
For years the industry has knowingly placed contaminated products and those unfit for human consumption into our animal feed and pet food! There are many books including Food Our Pets Die For.
Britian knowingly put cows with Mad Cow disease into animal food causing neurological disorders (passing on the disease) thru “top quality” food via our veterinarians and other “so-called” high end manufacturers! A Canadian woman had an autopsy done and sued…wrote the book years ago me ruined above.
China puts melamine in our pet food (who knows what in human food too) and our own government can’t regulate it? How are WE to do it?!!!
We buy what we believe to be wholesome. Purina/Nabisco-for years serving up food “not for human consumption” on the labels…serving up moldy grains? Don’t want to waste a dime? Evo/Karma…lawsuit when they made false claims about organic dog food?
I do t he best I can. I ask questions and research…if a new company takes over or marketing changes with a pet food company…I check to make sure the food is still the BEST…still the top!! AND the food I buy for my pets should be FIT for HUMAN consumption! Why should we even have to ask these questions? All pet food, fertilizer for plants and human food should be safe…yet it is NOT. This is an idealistic law…yet…we need a decent directive from the USDA…try calling their office and talking about contaminated pet food…they are not well informed I am sorry to say. It is a good step to aim towards healthy food for our pets AND our children AND ourselves…yet..big company greed when allowed to do so…doesn’t want waste…they want to make money off of substandard so-called “food???” Need to regulate or “fix” that situation first.
Soon they will ban serving sodas to pets.
Re: Dogs, ‘The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.’–Ghandi
Re: Unruly kids, ‘Discipline your son in his early years while there is still hope. If you don’t, you will ruin his life.’ –Anonymous
Re: Self-righteous posters, ‘When you think yours is the only true path you forever chain yourself to judging others and narrow the vision of God. The road to righteousness and arrogance is a parallel road that can intersect each other several times throughout a person’s life. It’s often hard to recognize one road from another. What makes them different is the road to righteousness is paved with the love of humanity. The road to arrogance is paved with the love of self.’― Shannon L. Alder
Have we not learned anything from those who have gone before us?
Another dumb A** law. Thank the morons we elected for making another law. Does it ever stop?
I walked by Bob’s Giant Burger today, August 12, and they are still using styrofoam containers and cups. How is this new law being enforced? Thank you.
Leash law is understandable but I whole heartily agree with Sabrina, Scarlet, GEENEYUSS, and Richard. It’s residents like FRAN that need to be leashed with their ill placed attitude. Also to all you dog hating mongers get a life and do something better with it than to complain to an officer and be pissy about a dog I mean c’mon you’re pathetic.
The cops have better things to do than respond to these types of calls like responding to real crimes. Threatening to field goal kick a dog because it might “hurt” you do? Seriously?….Do you feel bad ass as you type that in because you won’t feel bad ass if you even try to do that to my dog. I’ll make sure the ones you love watch you fall if you dare hurt the ones I love.
Your fellow dog lover.
@Resident
If your dog is not on a leash, I call the police. Simple as that.
And they do respond. I’ve seen animal control officers take away an unleashed g dog in my neighborhood, and thank god for that.
Keep your dog on a leash.
@Resident,
If your “well behaved” unleashed dog attacks my leashed dog, is that okay?
BobB agree completely. In the Sports Park or anywhere else I see an unleashed dog I also call the police. It is the LAW that dogs be on a leash, period!
When did it become ok to bring non -service dogs into places of business??? On a leash or not leave your dog at home while shopping, keep the pooch out of your lap while driving, and pick up that mess that belongs to your dog at the park and downtown p-town. Getting real tired of dodging the piles!! To the people that sneak their dogs in shoulder bags while shopping— cute trick– leave your dog at home please, also lose the handmade “service dog” vest you aren’t fooling anybody, nice try!!
Hey BobB like I said the leash law is understandable. Defending against a dog that comes up and attacks your dog on a leash also understandable but kicking a dog who is small or even medium size because you’re “afraid” is PATHETIC!!! Calling the cops because you see a dog off leash who isn’t bothering anyone is PATHETIC!!! Calling the cops because its the LAW is also PATHETIC LJ. You people really need to worry about more important things in life than to try and ruin someones day because you have some sort of chip on your shoulder plain and simple your actions are PATHETIC!
As Boob, I mean BobB would say “Simple as that” your pathetic. Also the cops do respond but not all of them even want to for something as mundane as this, there’s bigger fish to fry.
Resident, it isn’t mundane when my dog gets attacked because someone can’t keep their dog on a leash.
It never ceases to amaze me how people continuously make excuses for their animals. Resident, you’re (not your) the pathetic one.
Dogs are just doing what dogs do. If they poop on the sidewalk, throw the poop back in the face of the owner. If they fight with other dogs, hit the owner with a two by four in the head. If they dig up your lawn or plants, bulldoze the yard of the owner. The owner is responsible for the bad behavior, make the owner pay for it.
Dog owners in this town think their babies belong everywhere. I was in a Costco in another state when a couple tried to bring their pocket dog into the store in the shopping cart. The door monitor told them, nicely, that non-service dogs are not allowed. The owners protested that the dog would not get out of the cart. Who cares about that? What don’t they understand about “non-service dogs are not allowed”? Oh, I guess when you hold the dog it is no longer a dog. Idiots. The cops were called and a large group of people congregated near the doors in support of the Costco policy and telling the cops to arrest the idiot who caused the trouble by insisting on taking their dog where dogs DO NOT BELONG. Dog owners got cited for causing a public disturbance and were sent home looking like the idiots that they are.
Get a grip people, YOUR DOGS DO NOT BELONG EVERYWHERE.