Free-roaming cats and dogs are the primary cause of pet overpopulation. There is no good justification for allowing pets to roam.

Many of these animals are responsible for injuring or annoying people; attacking domestic animals and wildlife; destroying property; and contributing to the cause of automobile accidents. Additionally, free-roaming animals are exposed to such hazards as disease from other animals, injury from traffic, retaliation by irate property owners, etc.

Because these problems are the result of irresponsible people who fail to exercise proper control over their animals, animal control and protection officers should exercise local or state powers to issue citations for violations whenever possible.

FACA also believes that restraint provisions should require that dogs and cats be kept under direct control when off the owner’s property. FACA also supports local regulations designed to foster responsible pet ownership by requiring owners or keepers to clean up after their pets.