Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 17, 1993 TAG: 9302170124
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By BONNIE V. WINSTON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short
CAT-LICENSE PROPOSAL FALLS, LANDS ON FEET
Like a cat with nine lives, a bill that would allow localities to require cats to be licensed was killed and then resurrected Tuesday in the Capitol Kennel - otherwise known as the House of Delegates.As a chorus of "meows" filled the House chamber, Del. Glenn Croshaw, D-Virginia Beach, explained that licensing felines would have the same benefits as licensing their canine counterparts.
"It will help end the spread of rabies," Croshaw said as other delegates whined like stray dogs. To get tags, the owner would have to prove that the cat has up-to-date rabies vaccinations, he explained later.
If cats were licensed, it could help distinguish pets from strays, Croshaw added.
"Even in the Star City" of Roanoke, Croshaw said, "more than 3,700 cats had to be put to death last year - compared to 2,100 dogs."
The "meows" changed to loud "No!'s."
But with just a few questions to Croshaw, Del. George Grayson, D-Williamsburg, persuaded his colleagues to euthanize the idea.
"Is there anything in the bill that would allow governments to charge a fee for the license?" Grayson asked Croshaw.
"Yes," Croshaw answered, the fee would be up to $10 for each cat license.
"You mean this is a tabby tax?" Grayson asked.
"As Fido is taxed, so shall Tabby go," Croshaw said.
In the end, the House dumped the measure 68-30.
"I guess more people like cats than they like taxes," Croshaw said.
But at the suggestion of Del. Harry Purkey, R-Virginia Beach, the House then agreed to reconsider the bill.
"The SPCA hasn't had time to talk about it to anyone," Purkey said.
The cat bill's second life could be debated today.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1993