Lawmaker: Exempt service dog owners from pet-licensing fee

[The Straight Story]

Lawmaker: Exempt service dog owners from pet-licensing fee


PHOENIX – People who rely on service dogs shouldn’t have to pay to register them as pets, a state lawmaker contends.

“For the people who are disabled and on a fixed budget, they’re watching every penny and shouldn’t have to pay for the service dog they need,” said Rep. David Livingston, R-Peoria.

At present, anyone who needs a service dog and registers it with his or her county has to pay the same fee as someone registering a pet. For instance, it costs $17 to register a neutered or spayed dog in Maricopa County and $42 to register dogs that aren’t neutered or spayed.

The registration provides proof of ownership and requires that dogs receive rabies shots.

Livingston said he authored HB 2355 to provide a bit of relief for those relying on service dogs. The measure also would apply to search and rescue dogs.

http://cronkitenewsonline.com/2013/02/lawmaker-exempt-service-dog-owners-from-pet-licensing-fee/

[longship]

1. A good bill!

When I lived in the Inland Empire (Ontario, CA), the local Humane Society was rabid about citing unregistered pet owners. My family always had multiple animals. We got cited and it took considerable bullshit to register the unregistered rescue dog we had at the time. The Humane Society was extremely unhelpful in assisting us in being in compliance. The director at the time was horrible to us, when all we wanted was to be compliant with the regulations.

Not a good experience. Some folks shoot themselves in the foot in their bureaucratic zeal.

[Politicalboi]

2. Isn't that money needed for services

That help shelters. Maybe the registration should fall on the breeder. And make it a tax deductible fee. Or perhaps the state can pay it through disability insurance.