A problematic proposed animal ordinance in Nashville/Davidson County, Tennessee, is scheduled to receive a second and potentially enacting vote on Tuesday, April 18. Residents are urged to contact Metro Council Members and ask them to VOTE NO on animal ordinance BL2023-1688. Please scroll down for contact information.
Concerns with the proposed ordinance include, but are not limited to:
- Tramples the privacy rights of animal owners by authorizing animal care and control to “inspect the premises where animals are kept to ensure that owners or keepers are providing minimum care and facilities,” including inspection of private residences. AKC believes all inspections of private property should be pursuant to a properly obtained warrant.
- Defines “at large” as meaning any animal (excluding domestic cats) that is not physically restrained on an owner’s or keeper’s premises, including motorized vehicles, in a manner that physically prevents the animal from leaving the premises. Under this definition, a dog not physically restrained but never leaves its owner’s property would be illegally at large and subject to impoundment, while the owner would be subject to a misdemeanor offense.
- Defines “extreme weather conditions” as certain arbitrary high and low temperatures that do not consider an animal’s species, breed, age, health, condition, or acclimation. It further defines certain weather forecasts as “extreme” and “life-threatening” regardless of whether such conditions actually occur where the animal is located or result in any harm to the animal.
- Authorizes unelected personnel to set fees that may function as penalties. Under current law, impoundment and boarding fees are enacted by the Metro Council. Current law sets fees at $50 per impoundment and $18.00 per day for boarding. The proposed ordinance authorizes the board of health to set and change such fees without limitation and without prior approval by the elected Metro Council.
What you can do:
Immediately contact Metro Council Members to respectfully express your concerns and ask them to VOTE NO on animal ordinance BL2023-1688. The council meeting begins at 6:30pm on Tuesday and is preceded by committee meetings that start at 4:00pm. The best opportunity to speak with or leave a message for Council Members is prior to 4:00pm on April 18.
Council Members’ Contact Information:
Vice Mayor Jim Shulman, 615-584-1082, jim.shulman@nashville.gov
At-Large 1 Bob Mendes, 615-432-1341, bob.mendes@nashville.gov
At-Large 2 Sharon Hurt, 615-432-1342, sharon.hurt@nashville.gov
At-Large 3 Burkley Allen, 615-432-1343 burkley.allen@nashville.gov
At-Large 5 Zulfat Suara, 615-432-1345, zulfat.suara@nashville.gov
Dist. 1 Jonathan Hall, 615-432-1301, jonathan.hall@nashville.gov
Dist. 2 Kyonzte Toombs, 615-432-1302, kyonzte.toombs@nashville.gov
Dist. 3 Jennifer Gamble, 615-432-1303, jennifer.gamble@nashville.gov
Dist. 4 Robert Swope, 615-432-1304, robert.swope@nashville.gov
Dist. 5 Sean Parker, 615-432-1305, sean.parker@nashville.gov
Dist. 6 Brett Withers, 615-432-1306, brett.withers@nashville.gov
Dist. 7 Emily Benedict, 615-432-1307, emily.benedict@nashville.gov
Dist. 8 Nancy VanReece, 615-432-1308, nancy.vanreece@nashville.gov
Dist. 9 Tonya Hancock, 615-432-1309, tonya.hancock@nashville.gov
Dist. 10 Zach Young, 615-432-1310, zachary.young@nashville.gov
Dist. 11 Larry Hagar, 615-432-1311, larry.hagar@nashville.gov
Dist. 12 Erin Evans, 615-432-1312, erin.evans@nashville.gov
Dist. 13 Russ Bradford, 615-432-1313, russ.bradford@nashville.gov
Dist. 14 Kevin Rhoten, 615-432-1314, kevin.rhoten@nashville.gov
Dist. 15 Jeff Syracuse, 615-432-1315, jeff.syracuse@nashville.gov
Dist. 16 Ginny Welsch, 615-432-1316, ginny.welsch@nashville.gov
Dist. 17 Colby Sledge, 615-432-1317, colby.sledge@nashville.gov
Dist. 18 Tom Cash, 615-432-1318, thomas.cash@nashville.gov
Dist. 19 Freddie O’Connell, 615-432-1319, freddie.oconnell@nashville.gov
Dist. 20 Mary Carolyn Roberts, 615-432-1320, marycarolyn.roberts@nashville.gov
Dist. 21 Brandon Taylor, 615-432-1321, brandon.taylor@nashville.gov
Dist. 22 Gloria Hausser, 615-432-1322, gloria.hausser@nashville.gov
Dist. 23 Thom Druffel, 615-432-1323, thom.druffel@nashville.gov
Dist. 24 Kathleen Murphy, 615-432-1324, kathleen.murphy@nashville.gov
Dist. 25 Russ Pulley, 615-432-1325, russ.pulley@nashville.gov
Dist. 26 Courtney Johnston, 615-432-1326, courtney.johnston@nashville.gov
Dist. 27 Bob Nash, 615-423-1327, bob.nash@nashville.gov
Dist. 28 Tanaka Vercher, 615-432-1328, tanaka.vercher@nashville.gov
Dist. 29 Delishia Porterfield, 615-432-1329, delishia.porterfield@nashville.gov
Dist. 30 Sandra Sepulveda, 615-432-1330, sandra.sepulveda@nashville.gov
Dist. 31 John Rutherford, 615-432-1331, john.rutherford@nashville.gov
Dist. 32 Joy Styles, 615-432-1332, joy.styles@nashville.gov
Dist. 33 Antoinette Lee, 615-432-1333, antoinette.lee@nashville.gov
Dist. 34 Angie Henderson, 615-432-1334, angie.henderson@nashville.gov
Dist. 35 Dave Rosenberg, 615-432-1335, 615-208-7129, dave.rosenberg@nashville.gov
For additional information, please contact American Kennel Club Government Relations at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.