Electronic pet containment ordinance

A sub-acre hillside homeowner, praised the two-and-a-half-year wildlife-friendly fence effort and begged the commission never to allow electronic fences on hillside parcels; said Silicon Valley Animal Control does not support them, they fail in power outages, and shocked dogs run into streets.

The petitioner behind the proposal; said Silicon Valley Animal Control acknowledged his Weimaraner was contained, claimed about 400 DogWatch systems are installed in town and adjacent hillsides, and said a solid-fence loophole lets sub-acre owners skirt the wildlife corridor intent.

Described five years of reliable use of an electronic fence on their steep under-acre hillside parcel — backup battery, audible warnings, only two breaches in week one — and said it let their dog and local wildlife coexist where a physical fence was impractical.

Environmental advocate for the Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance; said she was surprised by the lack of public engagement and studies on impacts to deer and other wildlife if dogs chase them, noting years of intensive past community involvement on the fence rules.