HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.29.15_Event_Celebrates_1st_Anniv_Animal_Care_LawsCITY OF SOUTH BEND
PETE BUTTIGIEG, MAYOR
Office of the Mayor
CONTACT:
Kara Kelly, (574) 235 -5853
kkelly @southbendin.gov
FOR RELEASE: Friday, May 29, 2015
CITY TO CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY OF ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL ORDINANCE
To celebrate the one -year anniversary of South Bend's revised animal care and control ordinance
and recognize individuals and organizations making a difference for area animals, Bark and
Howl for Hope and Second Chances will be held Friday, May 29 at The Emporium, 121 S. Niles
Ave, from 6 to 8pm. The event is free and open to the public.
In addition to an award ceremony and light refreshments, a silent auction and 50150 raffle will be
held to raise funds for SBACC. Hambone, a dog adopted from South Bend Animal Care and
Control, will be the honored guest.
"South Bend worked very hard to produce a law that has become a model for other cities," says
Common Council member Valerie Schey (3rd District), who sponsored the ordinance. "We are a
more humane community because of the support this ordinance provides to pet owners and
animal care officials, and the sanctions it imposes on those who harm animals."
The new city ordinance governing animal care and control replaced breed - specific language with
behavior - specific language, and provides for greater regulation and oversight of dog breeders,
while strengthening enforcement and sanctions for those who mistreat animals. It also requires
that pets caught running at -large more than once be spayed or neutered.
The ordinance also permits residents to have as many pets as they want, provided the animals are
spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and licensed. Previously, South Bend residents were only
allowed to have a total of three dogs or cats.
"South Bend has made great strides in caring for animals," says Matt Harmon, manager of South
Bend Animal Care and Control. "In just one year, the new ordinance has proven valuable in
keeping South Bend's pets healthy and happy and protecting them from cruelty and abuse."
For more information on the new law, visit southbendin.gov / government /division/animal -care-
control. For information on how to obtain a license for a dog or cat, visit
southbendin. gov / government /service /animal - licenses or call 235 -9303.