Pittsburgh pet owners should have more time -- not less -- to find their lost dogs and cats before they're euthanized, say animal lovers who plan to protest a City Council bill today that would allow strays to be killed within 48 hours of being captured. The City Code says "any unlicensed dog, cat or other animal" can be adopted or euthanized if it's not claimed within 72 hours of being captured. "Seventy-two hours is not even enough time to give pet guardians the time they need to find out who to contact and how to go about finding a lost pet," said Peggy Buckley, a retired teacher from Brookline who owns five dogs, the maximum allowed in the city, all of which were adopted from shelters. "We would like the hours increased, not decreased," she said. She's not alone. Rebecca Reid, a volunteer with animal welfare group Voices for Animals of Western Pennsylvania, said several members of her group will submit a petition to City Council today calling for a public hearing on the matter. The deadline to submit such a petition expired Friday, three days after the measure was introduced, but a willing council member can request one anyway. A public hearing could give animal lovers a chance to expand the debate beyond how quickly stray animals could be killed, Reid said. "We have to look at other methods of animal control other than scooping up animals and euthanizing them as soon as they can," said Reid, who has one dog and five cats, all adopted from shelters. Pittsburgh's Animal Control Division officers turn over strays to the Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania, which handles housing, adoption services and euthanization under a three-year contract with the city. Dan Musher, the league's development director, said his group asked the Mayor's Office to reduce the waiting period to align the city's law with the state's dog law, which allows euthanization within 48 hours. Musher said it has been difficult to track whether animals were captured inside the city or outside. Those from Pittsburgh can be euthanized after 72 hours; those from outside the city can be euthanized after 48 hours. A spokeswoman for council President Doug Shields said it's likely a vote on the change would be delayed to allow for a public hearing. Councilman Bill Peduto said he plans to introduce an amendment to the bill today that would allow only dangerous animals or those diagnosed with life-threatening injuries to be euthanized within two days. It also would require the Animal Rescue League to put healthy, well-tempered animals up for adoption. Peduto voted in favor of the preliminary bill, which passed 8-1 last week, with Councilwoman Darlene Harris dissenting. "This amendment will guarantee that the city of Pittsburgh does everything it can to find homes for stray pets," Peduto said.

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