Kern County Animal Control Commission is Wrong

Kern County Animal Control Commission (KCACC) is Wrong

Kern County has been a bastion of common sense and old-fashioned citizen rights in a state that is increasingly controlled by counties who are anti-citizen rights and anti-dog. We are a community of staunch Western American values. Kern County is home to an abundance of show and other competition-dog kennels. Now there is a surge to abrogate Kern County citizens of their property rights. It comes under the guise of both bringing Kern County "in line with the rest of the state" [Commissioner Yraceburn at November KCACC meeting] and reducing the indiscriminate production of dogs and cats.

Being "in line with the rest of the state" is of dubious value. The rest of the state isn’t doing too well either financially or constitutionally. Kern County should strive to be better than the rest of the state. Reducing the indiscriminate production of animals (and by this is meant reducing the number of animals being accidently or negligently born) can be accomplished by several, proven, means: trap-neuter-release for feral cats, low-cost or no-cost spay/neuter programs available to any pet owner, and education (beginning in grade school) about responsible pet ownership. A strong, committed Animal Control needs to use foster homes and halfway / training houses to get dogs and cats ready for adoption. It has only been since the infamous lawsuit that forced Kern County Animal Control to comply with state law that we have seen any movement toward getting the stray or relinquished animals into new homes.

What is being discussed in KCACC meetings will not solve any of our problems but it will cause plenty more. The proposed zoning ordinance changes do not address the public tragedy of dumping unwanted pets nor does it treat the mental illness of hoarders. These zoning changes will target honest, decent people who enjoy the company of their well tended and well cared-for pets. These zoning changes will make people into criminals. Good people who cannot afford the fees or who have not played nice with their neighbors will be forced to make "Sophie’s Choice" as they look into the faces of their non-human family members. This is just plain wrong.

The people appointed to the KCACC are striving to make Kern County as anti-dog and as anti-citizen property rights as the ultra-liberal counties to our west. It is not only a disgusting display of power, it is devastating to those who have worked to perfect their kennel bloodlines and have made their kennel name known in the dog world. This attack on our rights is heartbreaking to the conservative, law abiding people who have been drawn to Kern County as an oasis of sanity in a state of increasing socialism.

Through many public workshops featuring concerned citizens’ input and effort, the heads of Resource Management (Dave Price) and Animal Control (Denise Haynes) realized the extreme negative impact proposed county ordinance changes will have on the citizens. They have shared their insight with the KCACC to little avail. The power drunk ACC members have made inflammatory statements within earshot of the concerned public, such as "I don’t care what the people want" [Commissioner Elliot at October KCACC meeting].

Since when do we allow our local government to run roughshod over us? Each County Supervisor appointed a member of the KCACC. Each Commissioner thus represents their District Supervisor. In the contentious battle that has been instigated by this Animal Control Commission and will be played out in the County Board of Supervisors meeting hall, I hope all Kern County citizens will learn about the issues facing our county community and become involved in their resolution.

Pro-Dog, Pro-Rights - TMDF's Blog - Bakersfield.com

Kern County Animal Control Commission is Wrong