The Buzz: Lawmaker hopes to collar support for dogs-at-work bill
From the Sacramento Bee.
A lot of stupid pet legislation comes out of Sacramento but here's an idea that's kind of nice: one Assemblyman wants to have a Take Your Dog To Work Day. That's not bad. Well, unless you are allergic to dogs or scared of them. It's a nice idea, but I hope, if it passes, that they will try to make some allowances for people who don't want to be around dogs. All of us with dogs need to be mindful of the people in the population who have problems with dogs. Even dog lovers sometimes don't appreciate having someone else's dog in their face. What MY dog does is adorable. What your dog does can get on my nerves!
The Buzz: Lawmaker hopes to collar support for dogs-at-work bill
By Steve Wiegand - swiegand@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PDT Monday, March 24, 2008
Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A3
No, the Legislature is not going to the dogs – despite Assembly Concurrent Resolution 103.
The "Take Your Dog to Work Day" resolution urges employers to honor canines on June 20 in the same way that they set aside one day per year for employees to bring a child to their job site.
Assemblyman George Plescia, R-La Jolla, said he owns two dogs and proposed the resolution to promote a movement by Pet Sitters International and to emphasize that canines make great companions.
ACR 103, which has not yet been voted on, said a 2006 survey found that millions of employees feel that having pets at work would lead to a more creative environment, more collegiality and less absenteeism.
Plescia's resolution says nothing, however, about employees who might be allergic to dogs, scared of them or bitten by them.
Here's another catch: Dogs aren't permitted in the Capitol, except working dogs assisting people with disabilities.
What's next? Cat lovers demanding equal time? If so, count Plescia out.
"Cat lovers would have to come up with their own day," he said. "Not that I'm against cats, but my wife is allergic."
