| MCIL Journal | FreeOurPeople.org | ADAPT Action Report | Home |
| |
| M C I L Journal |
| MCIL Journal 2007 |
| MCIL Journal 2006 |
| MCIL Journal Index |
Index
of previous MCIL Journals
11/22/00, 7:50 amc
People with Disabilities exempted from the pet potty law
Does the Memphis City Council believe picking up after a pet is beneath people with disabilities or is it "above" them?
On the same day Nelson Mandela spoke in our town of human equality, the Memphis City Council elevated Memphis citizens with disabilities to a status above the typical Memphian. The City Council approved an ordinance that will go into effect December 1st. requiring dog and cat owners to pick up their animals' waste. The Commercial Appeal reports, however, "the ordinance won't apply to people who are blind or confined to wheelchairs."
|
|
|
The Memphis Center for Independent Living's Pet Poop Analysis Team researches methods for persons with disabilities to participate equally in community life. In the example shown here, the analysis team uses a "reacher" holding a shoe to simulate stepping in dog doody. |
Many people with disabilities require service animals to participate in community life, but these animals are not pets. Specially trained service animals, such as guide dogs, provide necessary services that allow persons with disabilities to have equal access to community life.
Service animals should be exempted from the ordinance because of their special training and the nature of the work they do. It is important for the City Council to recognize the difference between the service animals and pets, and to understand that persons with disabilities must have similar responsibilities to equally participate in community life.
"I think people who use wheelchairs should be exempted from the 'open container' ordinance," suggested Michael Heinrich, referring to the other $50 fine that the Memphis City Council approved Tuesday.
"People with disabilities have taken enough crap from Memphis," said Tim Wheat, "it is about time they give some back."
The Memphis Center for Independent Living
1633 Madison Avenue,
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 726-6404 v/tty (901) 726-6521 fax
mcil@mcil.org
MCIL is a United Way of the Mid-South member Agency
Return to the top of this page
MCIL would like feedback on the accessibility of this website. Please send your comments and concerns to webmaster@mcil.org
