legal?

madlibs · 05-30-2008, 01:39 PM

So my 'lil suburb has started a new thing. They're going around to all homes that have dogs (they get rabies shot information from local vets, and find out addresses that way... OR they simply listen for a barking dog). Upon arrival at a home, the animal control officer asks to see the dog's license. If the owner cannot present one, a ticket for $120 is issued. Now, I have NO problem with licensing my dog. Licenses are only a few dollars and all proceeds go to local animal shelters. I licensed our's as soon as we moved here, so no worries there. I'm just wondering if what they're doing is even legal... you know, Fourth Amendment?

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Is the owning of a dog probable cause here? What do you guys think? I'm not getting all up in arms about this... just something I was thinking about over this morning's coffee.

Kristie · 05-30-2008, 02:00 PM

hmmm good question.

i would think that if you're in your own home, they don't have that right... but if your out walking with your dog on his/her leash, then they might have that right. public vs private type of thing.

Brenda · 05-30-2008, 04:02 PM

I don't know how they can really do that. But, remember all those dogs in China was it that were running rabid and getting hurt?

If you live in a community with an association, have they already added that dogs MUST be licensed in the covenants? Is there something with wild animals going on that they want to make sure your dog and the people around them are protected? Has there been an outbreak for the concern of authorities? Shouldn't there be some sort of notice before they start fining?

BAC · 05-30-2008, 04:46 PM

Ugh.. I don't like when the government steps in with that kind of crap. Seems like people are loosing their rights more and more.

I would research that further...

ccbegay · 05-30-2008, 07:09 PM

that is kind of odd, that they would come to the door and quite possibly fine, I'd have trouble locating Kenzie's tag, I don't keep them on her because she is an indoor dog, I would really look into that, very strange...

Imachickadee75 · 06-02-2008, 12:55 AM

Yum, don't they have anything better to do with their time? Are they hurting that bad for cash??????

Jackie

Bigsweetie · 06-02-2008, 08:58 AM

As far as I know (and i'm not a lawyer), a police officer can knock on your door but w/o a warrant you don't have to open it and you don't have to let them in.

That said, if an officer approaches your home and says that he heard something and felt that the person inside was in emminent danger he has the legal right to kick your door in. I doubt they'd go to that extreme to lie and check your dogs tags LOL!

Unles they're busting people's doors in, they're not doing anything illegal as far as I know (again, i'm no expert).

CLErocks · 06-02-2008, 11:13 AM

Don't answer the door! I never answer my door(unless it's someone I know). I don't care if they here me or not!

mrs767er · 06-02-2008, 10:18 PM

If your town/county etc requires a license for dog/car/boat/bicylce (I kid you not on that one) etc it is your duty to pay for that license whether you like it or not.
I doubt they will care if you open your door or not, you still have to pay the fee and register what is required, but you should have been notified in writing that it was a requirement prior to complaint.
If a neighbor's barking dog is cause for one to complain then it is the duty of that dog owner to comply with local laws--barking after certain times--level of noise, etc. If a dog sets off a motion detector light at 5 am every morning that owner is required to subdue the light if it causes a disturbance to the neighbor's sleep--go figger! Just some points of law to consider--even tho there are some really weird ones-- a barber cannot cut hair on certain days...yadda yadda yadda

Bigsweetie · 06-02-2008, 10:57 PM

She said her dog is registered, but they're knocking on doors to check. If she doesn't answer her door (which w/o a warrant she doesn't have to) then there's no way for them to verify whether or not her dog has it's license. They can't send you a bill w/o knowing for sure that your dog isn't licensed. They may send you a letter stating you'll receive a bill unless you can prove your dog does have a license (I don't know how far they're going to take this).

But like I said, it's not unlawful for them to knock on your door and ask. But, I would imagine that if you don't answer your door (and they know that you're home) they'll just keep coming back.

05-30-2008, 01:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
madlibs Jetgirls Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: US Posts: 421 Recipes: Thanks: 9 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	legal? So my 'lil suburb has started a new thing. They're going around to all homes that have dogs (they get rabies shot information from local vets, and find out addresses that way... OR they simply listen for a barking dog). Upon arrival at a home, the animal control officer asks to see the dog's license. If the owner cannot present one, a ticket for $120 is issued. Now, I have NO problem with licensing my dog. Licenses are only a few dollars and all proceeds go to local animal shelters. I licensed our's as soon as we moved here, so no worries there. I'm just wondering if what they're doing is even legal... you know, Fourth Amendment? *Amendment IV* The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. Is the owning of a dog probable cause here? What do you guys think? I'm not getting all up in arms about this... just something I was thinking about over this morning's coffee.

05-30-2008, 02:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kristie Admin/Owner Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 6,630 Recipes: Thanks: 7 Thanked 17 Times in 17 Posts	Re: legal? hmmm good question. i would think that if you're in your own home, they don't have that right... but if your out walking with your dog on his/her leash, then they might have that right. public vs private type of thing. __________________ www.jetcareers.com

05-30-2008, 04:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
Brenda Jetgirls Plus Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: EVV Posts: 1,209 Recipes: Thanks: 11 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: legal? I don't know how they can really do that. But, remember all those dogs in China was it that were running rabid and getting hurt? If you live in a community with an association, have they already added that dogs MUST be licensed in the covenants? Is there something with wild animals going on that they want to make sure your dog and the people around them are protected? Has there been an outbreak for the concern of authorities? Shouldn't there be some sort of notice before they start fining? __________________ - Brenda, wife to Eric, Capt for Shuttle America.

05-30-2008, 04:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
BAC Jetgirls Plus Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 913 Recipes: Thanks: 12 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: legal? Ugh.. I don't like when the government steps in with that kind of crap. Seems like people are loosing their rights more and more. I would research that further... __________________ Becky Check out my current and past books @

05-30-2008, 07:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
ccbegay Jetgirls Ol' School Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 1,652 Recipes: Thanks: 5 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Re: legal? that is kind of odd, that they would come to the door and quite possibly fine, I'd have trouble locating Kenzie's tag, I don't keep them on her because she is an indoor dog, I would really look into that, very strange... __________________ <-------Halloween fun for LadyBug Kenzie... ~Great Love and Great Achievements involves Great Risks~ CASSIE

06-02-2008, 12:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
Imachickadee75 Jetgirls Ol' School Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 645 Recipes: Thanks: 1 Thanked 13 Times in 6 Posts	Re: legal? Yum, don't they have anything better to do with their time? Are they hurting that bad for cash?????? Jackie __________________ Welcoming baby #3 this spring!

06-02-2008, 08:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
Bigsweetie Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Clinton Township, Michigan Posts: 1,561 Recipes: Thanks: 8 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: legal? As far as I know (and i'm not a lawyer), a police officer can knock on your door but w/o a warrant you don't have to open it and you don't have to let them in. That said, if an officer approaches your home and says that he heard something and felt that the person inside was in emminent danger he has the legal right to kick your door in. I doubt they'd go to that extreme to lie and check your dogs tags LOL! Unles they're busting people's doors in, they're not doing anything illegal as far as I know (again, i'm no expert).

06-02-2008, 11:13 AM	#8 (permalink)
CLErocks Jetgirls Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 290 Recipes: Thanks: 9 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: legal? Don't answer the door! I never answer my door(unless it's someone I know). I don't care if they here me or not! __________________ Rachel

06-02-2008, 10:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
mrs767er Jetgirls Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincy Area Posts: 200 Recipes: Thanks: 1 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	Re: legal? If your town/county etc requires a license for dog/car/boat/bicylce (I kid you not on that one) etc it is your duty to pay for that license whether you like it or not. I doubt they will care if you open your door or not, you still have to pay the fee and register what is required, but you should have been notified in writing that it was a requirement prior to complaint. If a neighbor's barking dog is cause for one to complain then it is the duty of that dog owner to comply with local laws--barking after certain times--level of noise, etc. If a dog sets off a motion detector light at 5 am every morning that owner is required to subdue the light if it causes a disturbance to the neighbor's sleep--go figger! Just some points of law to consider--even tho there are some really weird ones-- a barber cannot cut hair on certain days...yadda yadda yadda

06-02-2008, 10:57 PM	#10 (permalink)
Bigsweetie Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Clinton Township, Michigan Posts: 1,561 Recipes: Thanks: 8 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: legal? She said her dog is registered, but they're knocking on doors to check. If she doesn't answer her door (which w/o a warrant she doesn't have to) then there's no way for them to verify whether or not her dog has it's license. They can't send you a bill w/o knowing for sure that your dog isn't licensed. They may send you a letter stating you'll receive a bill unless you can prove your dog does have a license (I don't know how far they're going to take this). But like I said, it's not unlawful for them to knock on your door and ask. But, I would imagine that if you don't answer your door (and they know that you're home) they'll just keep coming back.

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