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Bar association panel backs promotion of breed-neutral laws The American Bar Association’s House of Delegates has adopted a resolution that urges all legisla- tive bodies and governmental agencies to adopt comprehensive breed-neutral dangerous dog/ reckless owner laws. It suggests that such laws ensure due process protections for owners, encour- age responsible pet ownership, and focus on the behavior of both dog owners and dogs. It also recommends repealing breed-discriminatory or breed-specific provisions. According to one spokesperson, responsible
pet owners should be allowed to own whatever breed they want. They should not have to live in fear of their pets being seized and killed simply because of their appearance. Breed-discriminatory measures, sometimes
referred to as breed-specific measures, distinguish dogs of one or more specific breeds, along with dogs presumed to be mixes of those breeds, as inherently dangerous because of the perception of breed characteristics. Restrictions can include requiring sterilization,
microchipping, prescribed enclosures, muzzling, special leashes, specific collars, detailed signage, training and a minimum age of the person who can walk the dog. The dogs affected by these laws have not actually shown dangerous behaviors; they just appear to be of a certain breed or heritage.
Study reveals barriers to pet ownership The American Humane Association’s Animal Welfare Research Institute, investigating why so many animals are abandoned and euthanized each year in the United States, has found some disheartening news. However, it says the data points the way to future improvements and interventions. In a press release about the first part of its three-part “Keeping Pets (Dogs and Cats)
in Homes Retention Study,” the institute said multiple barriers were reported by the 1,500 previous pet owners and non-pet owners surveyed. They included the associ- ated costs, perceived lack of time to care for an animal and outright dislike of compan- ion animals (especially cats). More than a third of non-pet owners said they dislike cats. Lasting grief over the loss of a previous pet was cited as a significant obstacle to
obtaining a new pet by 20% of previous dog owners and 17% of previous cat owners. Overall, almost half of the respondents who have never owned a pet as an adult had a dog or cat as a child. Despite massive public education campaigns, only 22% of dog owners and 18% of
cat owners obtained their prior pet from a shelter or rescue organization. Fortunately, 64% of prospective owners who previously owned a dog and 56% of prospective own- ers who previously owned a cat indicated they would adopt a dog or cat from a shelter or rescue organization. In spite of the physical and emotional benefits of pet owner- ship for older people, senior citizens were among the least likely to consider a pet.
Walmart launches ultra-premium dog food brand Walmart has introduced its first ultra-premium dry dog food. The retailer says that Pure Balance does not contain any soy, wheat or corn additives; artificial colors; preserva- tives or chicken byproducts. Pure Balance comes in three bag sizes and two types: chicken and brown rice, and
lamb and brown rice. The food also contains a blend of omega-6 and -3 fatty acids. The company notes that ultra-premium is the fastest growing segment of the
dry dog food market. It increased 8.5% in 2011 to nearly $3.5 billion. Walmart cited GfK US Pet Shops and Nielsen Scantrack & Homescan 2011 data, noting that dry dog food in the “value” category grew 6.8%, “premium” grew 3.1% and “super premium” decreased by 4.9%.
Trends magazine, November 2012
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