FEDERAL
HR1388 - Short Title- This Act may be cited as the `Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act' or the `GIVE Act'.
H.Amdt 49 - Amendment to prohibit organizations from attempting to influence legislation; organize or engage in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes; and assist, promote, or deter union organizing.
STATES - IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
ALASKA
Juneau - (3/19/09) - A bill that makes it a criminal offense to have sex with an animal has passed its first committee. The measure, which would make Alaska the 36th state to outlaw bestiality, was heard in the House Judiciary Committee Friday. It would expand Alaska's existing animal cruelty laws to include sexual conduct, making the offense a class A misdemeanor. The bill has the support of the Alaska Peace Officers Association, the Department of Corrections and the Humane Society. Veterinarian Rachel Dzuiba says the bill not only protects animals but children and other vulnerable people as well. CALIFORNIA AB1122 - An act to add Section 597.4 to the Penal Code, relating to animals, as introduced, Lieu. Animal abuse: sale of live animals: flea markets. Manteca - (3/29/09) - Pit bulls and related breeds in Manteca are required by city law to be neutered or spayed. Now city leaders think it is a good idea to make owners of all dogs – with a few notable exceptions – to have their canines fixed. Dog owners and the general public have a chance Monday to say what they think of the plan as well as make suggestions on what the city should or shouldn’t do during a meeting at 6 p.m. at the Civic Center council chambers at 1001 W. Center St. Police Chief Dave Bricker will conduct the meeting. Exemptions to the spaying and neutering requirement as the proposed ordinance now stands would be licensed show dogs, livestock dogs, police dogs, breeders licensed by the city, or assistance dogs. A mandatory neutering and spaying law would work for all dogs over six months of age within Manteca’s city limits. That means if Manteca Animal Control picks up your stray dog for wandering the streets you may have to pay in excess of $100 to have it spayed or neutered in addition to impound fees and paying for a license if you do not have one. COLORADO Fort Collins - After a tragic incident in which a dog slipped into a Fort Collins neighbor's home and killed a cat, the issue of breed-specific legislation has resurfaced on news and blog sites across the state. City council looked at the legislation of other cities and decided to zero in on specific types of pit bulls, including American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and dogs that display the majority of the physical traits of any of these breeds. In addition, existing pit bull owners were allowed to keep their dogs through a permitting process, something Mayor Shannon Crespin said was important so pets were not taken from families when the policy was implemented.
DELAWARE
HB95 - AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 7 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DOGS.
This bill adopts the recommendations of the Humane Society of the United
States regarding restrictions on the large-scale for-profit dog breeding
operations commonly known as "puppy mills." The intent of this bill is to
ensure that dogs are bred in sanitary and humane conditions. The bill
prohibits the possession of more than 25 breeding dogs at one time and
imposes minimum requirements for breeding dogs to receive veterinary care.
D.C.
Mt. Vernon - (3/19/09) - Animal control officers and city swooped into the park at Mount Vernon Place near the Washington Monument this week, citing dog walkers for failing to have their dogs on leash. Bob Anderson, director of Baltimore Animal Control, said officers responded after receiving numerous complaints about dogs bothering pedestrians in the park. Failing to have a dog on the leash can result in a $100 fine for the first offense and a $1,000 fine for repeat offenders. Those fines are set to go up soon, Anderson said. City law requires dogs to be on leash or in a carrier whenever they are off the owner's property, Anderson said. The law specifies that the leashes should be no more than 8 feet long; retractable leashes are not permitted in the city. The law also requires dog walkers to have something to pick up feces (plastic bags count).
FLORIDA
HB451 - (3/24/09) - A mandatory spay-neuter bill under consideration in Florida has been revised so that it’s no longer required for pet owners to get their dogs or cats sterilized. As of Tuesday morning, March 24, House Bill 451 was amended to remove all mandatory spay-neuter language. Instead, the new version of the bill gives the local government the option to use a $5 surcharge added to animal-control citations to help pay for low-cost spay-neuter programs. The “strike-all” amendment to the bill was adopted by the Florida House Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Committee. As originally introduced, the bill called for most dogs and cats to be sterilized at 4 months of age.
A court ruled Miami-Dade's 20 year ban on pit bulls was too vague in defining "pit bull" and unfairly let animal control officers basically guess whether a dog is a pit bull. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRLog (Press Release) Mar 19, 2009 Miami-Dade County, F, Florida - Miami Coalition Against Breed Specific Legislation (MCABSL) and Animal Law Coalition applaud a court ruling that the Miami Dade County Pit Bull ban is too vague, and the county cannot enforce the finding by animal control that a dog is a pit bull that must be euthanized or removed from the county.
Holly Hill - proposed ordinance would require some pet owners to have their dogs and cats spayed or neutered. Pets that are not well enough to survive an operation, that are too old to have the operation or that are used for professional breeding would be exempted. The ordinance would be enforced when animals are caught by animal control or are brought in by the owner for pet licenses.
GEORGIA
Fayette County - (3/21/09) - Fayette County’s animal control director recently made a presentation at the request of the Fayette County Commission in response to resident inquiries about chained dogs in our county, and the issue is worthy of attention. A sensible chaining ordinance that prevents dogs from being tied up day and night would prevent animal cruelty and public safety threats, and there are volunteers available to help low-income dog owners erect pens or fences.
KENTUCKY
Louisville - (3/19/09) - City officials have received several complaints about how Metro Animal Services is enforcing the dangerous dog ordinance. Now one of the law's co-sponsors plans to look into the complaints. Janet Head wasn't home Monday when she got a call that Metro Animal Services was in her house taking her miniature schnauzers away. Three adult dogs and four six week old puppies. "An absolute violation of my privacy, my rights as a human being. I think that's horrible," Head said. Metro Animal Services also took her sister's dogs. The two say they breed their dogs about once a year. It took two days, a court appearance and an injunction from a judge - plus $1,300 in fees - to get the dogs back. Officials from Metro Animal Services says it was because they didn't have a kennel license. Councilman Kelly Downard, who helped write the current dog ordinance, says he believes the law is being improperly enforced. "Animal Services is apparently interpreting the law to say that anybody who breeds dogs is a breeder and needs to have a kennel license, that's not true. Part of the law enforces breeding activities but it doesn't enforce what they are going after. I really don't think that was ever the intent. I wrote the darn law, so I know." He says the kennel license is for people whose primary purpose of having dogs is to breed and sell them, not occasional breeders who have been targeted in recent raids. Despite Downard's comments, Metro Animal Services officials stand by their actions. Downard says he plans to hold hearings before Metro's Oversite committee to clarify parts of the dog ordinance and how it's being enforced. He says that will likely happen in the next month or so.
MAINE
HP0151/LD186 - An Act Pertaining to the Possession of Animal Fighting Paraphernalia
HP362/LD 517 - An Act To Authorize the Employment of Animal Control Officers by Animal Shelters
HP666/LD964 - An Act Pertaining to the Breeding and Selling of Dogs and Cats/Rep.Pieh (prior 2010)
Best,
Sara
Representative Sara R. Stevens
252 Nowell Road
Bangor, ME 04401
Repsara.stevens@
942-8900
Washington County - (3/24/09) - Dogs that attack or threaten people or other pets would get 18 months to improve their behavior before being labeled permanently as a "vicious and dangerous animal" under changes to the Washington County animal control ordinance proposed Tuesday. Currently, animals can be labeled "vicious and dangerous" after only one attack, which has led to protests from owners who say their pets were otherwise well-behaved, said Paul Miller, executive director of the Humane Society of Washington County, which enforces the ordinance. The Washington County Commissioners discussed the idea and other proposed changes at their meeting Tuesday, and agreed to hold a public hearing on the proposed changes. A date for the hearing has not been set.
MASSACHUSETTS
HB1997 - An Act relative to animals
Newton - (3/19/09) - Neighbors of Cold Spring Park, where a new off leash dog park began this week, are vociferously voicing their opposition, suggesting the new policy will make an out-of-control situation even worse. One local resident, Eve Cohen said that dogs have always been a problem at the park but it worsened last year when word spread the city was thinking about allowing dogs off leash there. A nine-month off-leash policy limited to a designated area officially went into effect Tuesday and Cohen and other neighbors are not pleased. ‘‘We are being invaded all unnecessarily and on the whim of a decision the city made,’’ said Cohen. She and others complain about a dramatic increase in traffic and street parking at Cold Spring. Lee McIntyre, a dog owner who helped spearhead the experiment, said the change will benefit neighbors because off-leash dogs will be limited to one area of the park. But Cohen and others don’t see it that way.
Sherborn - (3/19/09) - Better vaccinate that pooch or you might have to explain yourself to a judge. Town Clerk Carole Marple has submitted formal complaints against owners of unlicensed dogs to Natick District Court. The 43 dog owners will receive a court summons in the mail, says Marple. They can avoid going before the judge by immediately licensing their dog, which verifies the dog has its rabies shot, for $15. The town hopes the court summons will encourage town residents to comply with the annual dog licensing requirements. If the summoned dog owners fail to show up in court, an arrest warrant will be issued, said Marple.
MICHIGAN
Saginaw - (3/25/09) - Saginaw should explore a time limit on keeping dogs tethered to reduce the likelihood of making them prone to attack, says City Councilman William G. Scharffe. Saginaw has no vicious dogs ordinance. Buena Vista does. Imposing a time limit on tethering is a more realistic alternative than banning certain breeds of dogs, such as pit bulls, Scharffe said. A legal fight by lovers of the breed could prove ''extremely difficult and extremely expensive,'' said Scharffe, who raised the argument during a City Council meeting Monday. Scharffe said he consulted with Mark Wachner, former animal care center director and a pit bull expert, before reaching his conclusion. ''Pit bulls are not nice doggies,'' Scharffe said. ''I'm sorry. The statistics bear out the opposite.'' Mayor Joyce J. Seals wasn't warm to the idea of a tether time limit.
Westland - (2/27/09) - Man’s best friend will be on a little longer leash in Westland following approval of some new ordinance language. Last week, members of the city council unanimously agreed to take the bite out of current rules and approved a new ordinance that eliminates a breed-specific ban which required certain dogs considered “vicious and or dangerous” be restrained, penned, leashed and or muzzled, depending on the circumstances. Following protests by a vocal group of supporters of pit bulls, the ordinance was altered so that only dogs reported to have bitten or attacked a person or another animal be subject to more stringent restrictions. The ordinance becomes effective today, according to Police Chief James Ridener.
MINNESOTA
HF0253 - (revised) A bill for an act relating to animals; providing standards of care for dog and cat breeders; authorizing rulemaking; providing criminal penalties; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 347.
MISSISSIPPI
Richland - new animal control ordinance adopted Tuesday (02/17/09) limits households to no more than one of any of these breeds: pit bull, Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier or wolf-dog hybrid. The aldermen voted 6-0 to ban the four breeds and any dog declared dangerous or vicious as defined by the ordinance. These certain breeds are technically not allowed in the city, a grandfather clause in the ordinance allows residents to keep one banned dog if housed in the city prior to the adoption of the ordinance as long as the dog has not been deemed dangerous or vicious. Owners also must pay a $100 registration fee to the city and meet other national registration, training and enclosure requirements and consent to unannounced inspections etc.
Ridgeland - (3/25/09) - A Ridgeland man is working to get signatures on a petition to try and overturn the city’s dog ordinance. Starting April 16th, people in Ridgeland will not be able to own a Pit Bull, Staffordshire Terrier, any wolf-dog hybrid or any other dog deemed dangerous. The ordinance also looks at a dog’s history. If any of its parents were one of the banned dogs, the animal itself would also be banned. The ordinance does allow owners to keep one of these banned dogs, but they must register them and follow certain guidelines. The petitioneer plans to present the petition at May’s city hall meeting.
MONTANA
HB548 - AN ACT REGULATING FACILITIES THAT BREED DOGS FOR SALE OR SELL DOGS; REQUIRING INSPECTION OF FACILITIES; REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF LIVESTOCK TO ADOPT RULES ESTABLISHING STANDARDS FOR THE FACILITIES; REQUIRING OWNERS OF FACILITIES TO REGISTER WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND PAY A FEE FOR REGISTRATION; REQUIRING INSPECTIONS TO BE UNANNOUNCED AND REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT TO PREPARE AN INSPECTION REPORT; PROHIBITING AN OWNER OR MANAGER OF A FACILITY THAT DOES NOT PASS AN INSPECTION FROM SELLING DOGS; CREATING A STATE SPECIAL REVENUE ACCOUNT; PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Helena - (3/19/09) - HB431 - A Senate panel on Wednesday heard lively testimony on a measure that would stiffen and expand liability for dog owners whose pets injure someone. Rep. Anders Blewett, D-Great Falls, said the measure is designed to do away with the "one-free bite" loophole and expand the law to dogs living outside city limits. Under existing law, only dog owners who live within city limits are liable for damages caused by dog bites. Dog owners who live outside city limits are not considered liable if their dog bites someone for the first time. The proposed law also would extend liability to people who have a financial or proprietary interest in a dog and would provide specific protections for children. Under the proposed measure, if a dog bites anyone younger than the age of 9, it is presumed to be an unprovoked attack. House Bill 431 also changes key language in the current statute from "bite" to "injure," thus broadening the scope of liability for dog owners. Blewett said he believes the owner of an overly anxious dog should be liable if the animal jumps on someone and the person falls and is injured. "The question, public policy-wise, is who should have to pay for that injury? Who's got to pick up the tab there?" Blewett asked the committee. Opponents of the bill, including dog owners, several attorneys and representatives from the insurance industry, said the proposed measure is an overly broad expansion of the so-called "vicious dog" law. They say the bill would result in higher insurance rates and would impose an unreasonable burden on all dog owners. "What I think people in Montana want is a law that makes it unacceptable to own a dog that would bite," said dog-owner Bob Branson. He said Blewett's bill does nothing to address problems with vicious dogs, instead creating a strict liability for the owner of a friendly dog that might accidently injure someone. The measure easily cleared the House with nearly three-quarters of lawmakers in that body voting in favor of it. On Wednesday, it appeared unlikely the measure would pass the Senate Judiciary Committee in its current form as some committee members expressed concern over the expansion of the language from "bite" to "injure."
NEW HAMPSHIRE
3/20/09) - Thank you, DOGS, for the update !
2009 NH Legislative Briefing Upcoming Legislative Meetings and Voting Sessions Note: A House or Senate Floor Session is when the full House or Senate votes on the committee’s recommendation on a bill. The recommendation can be changed by a vote on the floor. Members of the public can watch the floor action from the House or Senate Gallery, 3rd floor of the State House or listen in via the General Court’s website for streaming audio/video. March 24th and 25th House Floor Sessions HB 220: Adding a civil forfeiture process to the animal cruelty violations. Status: House Environment & Agriculture Committee recommendation “Inexpedient to Legislate”. Committee voted 17-2. Position: DOGS opposed the bill. HB247: change the law pertaining to complaints filed due to the abuse of domestic animals. Instead of the state veterinarian being the first contact, the complaint shall be initially filed with the local law enforcement agency, animal control officer, state police, or sheriff, with jurisdiction over where the animal is kept. At the request of the contacted law enforcement agency, the state veterinarian shall assist in a secondary capacity in enforcing the provisions of law and investigating said complaints.. Status: Recommended for passage with amendment by the House Environment and Agriculture Committee. Committee voted 16-0. Position: DOGS supports the State Veterinarian’s reasons for requesting the bill. HB 278: increases the penalty from a class A misdemeanor to a class B felony for cruelty to service animals. The committee feels that the current RSA 167-D:9 is sufficient punishment in these cases. Status: Criminal Justice Committee voted 19-0 on recommendation “Inexpedient to Legislate”. Position: DOGS maintained that the bill was unnecessary. STATUS OF OTHER LEGISLATION Bill that are still Active HB 148: Relative to health certificates as evidence of the transfer of dog, cat or ferret. Requiring an annual vet statement for exemption from rabies vaccination. Status: Passed House with amendment. Awaiting Senate action. A copy of the amended version of the bill is available at: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2009/HB0148.html HB345: Allowing physical therapists to practice on animals Status: Awaiting public hearing date in House Executive Departments Committee. SB 13: Declaring the Chinook the state dog. Status: Passed Senate. Awaiting public hearing in House Environment & Agriculture Committee. SB 137: Establishing a “pet friendly” license plate. Status: Tabled in Senate. SB 19: Relative to governmental immunity from liability lawsuits for municipal dog parks Status: Passed Senate. Public hearing scheduled in House Judiciary Committee on April 2nd at 1pm.. SB 156: Relative to the commission to study the creation of an animal care worker classification. Status: Public hearing scheduled in the Senate Executive Depts. Committee for March 24th at 2:20pm. Bills Retained in Committee for Study and Action in 2010 HB 630: Prohibits live greyhound racing in NH. House Local & Regulated Revenues Committee HB 431: Requiring certain engine coolants to include an aversive agent. House Commerce Committee. Defeated Bills (Killed) HB 337: Requiring temporary vendor permits for certain animal sellers. Committee recommendation “Inexpedient to Legislate”. HB 427: Requiring licenses for horses. Committee recommendation “Inexpedient to Legislate” HB 559: Requiring Fish & Game Advisory Council to have an animal rights’ representative. Committee recommendation “Inexpedient to Legislate” HB 59: Requiring employers of employees with service dogs to signs prohibiting other dogs into the establishment. Committee recommendation “Inexpedient to Legislate” HB 653: Relative to definition and functions of service animals. Committee recommendation “Inexpedient to Legislate” SB 140: Allowing chiropractors to practice on animals. Committee recommendation “Inexpedient to Legislate”. NEW JERSEY S921 - SYNOPSIS - Permits municipalities to contract with animal and humane societies which engage in animal foster care.
NEW YORK
A00427/S3177 - AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to classroom instruction in the humane treatment of animals and the requirement of training in the humane treatment of animals for the certification or licensing of classroom teachers, teaching assistants, pupil personnel service professionals, school administrators or supervisors or superintendents of schools
A7285 - AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to a limit on intact animals and the definition of pet dealers
Oswego - (3/29/09) - Submitted by the Mayor’s Office - With the advent of spring, I have asked our new Animal Control Officer, Amanda Monnen, to generate a list of the pertinent rules regarding animals in the City of Oswego. If you have any questions pertaining to these rules, please contact Amanda at 343-1803. All laws, unless otherwise noted, have been taken from Chapter 63 of the Code of the City of Oswego. The laws regarding animals in the city of Oswego are not limited to those listed. City of Oswego Laws Regarding Animals - All dogs over the age of four months must have a valid New York State License. - No owner shall allow any dog(s) to run at large within the city, unless they are on the owner’s property or other person’s property with the consent of that person, or they are restrained with a leash or lead. - All cats allowed outside must be registered with the city shelter. - No unspayed female dog or cat in heat shall be permitted to be outside a building or a fenced enclosure. - No person shall own or harbor any animal which shall be vicious or which shall attack or attempt to bite any person peaceably passing along the street, lane, park or walk of the city, or any place that person may legally be. - An owner of an animal, either licensed or unlicensed, shall not permit such animal to:
1. Persistently or consistently bark or howl or whine or snarl or growl
2. Cause personal injury
3. Cause damage to personal property
4. Transport trash, impair lawns, hedges, flowerbeds, and gardens on property other than that of the owner or persons having custody
5. Persistently bark or chase or snarl or growl at pedestrians who are using the sidewalks while the animal is on the property of the owner or harborer.
6. Roam with one or more animals in a pack.
7. Be in the habit of chasing or barking at automobiles.
8. Kill other animals, with the exception of mice and rats.
Animals (with the exception of service/guide dogs) are prohibited in stores where perishable goods are sold (i.e. grocery stores), and restaurants. - Any person owning or harboring a wild animal other than a dog, cat or other domestic animal shall take the proper precautionary measures to safeguard the public from such animal. - No unspayed or unneutered cat is allowed to be at large within the city. - Tethering an animal to a tree on public property is prohibited. - No person shall permit the tether of an animal to be such a length that the animal is able to set foot upon a public sidewalk. - Willfully throwing, dropping or placing any substance, which might wound, disable, or injure any animal is prohibited (misdemeanor). - Removal of collar and/or license tag from a dog is prohibited without the owner’s permission. - No person shall transport any animal not lawfully in their possession for the purpose of killing or selling such animal, nor shall any person remove any animal not lawfully in his possession from the city without notifying the Animal Control Officer. (Fine: $200 +/or 6 months). - The owner of every animal shall be responsible for the immediate cleanup of any animal waste deposited by such animal on public property or on private property other than that of the owner. - The owner of every animal shall be responsible for the cleanup of waste deposited by such animal on their own property within 24 hours. - No animal shall be left for dead, or deposition of any dead animal, on any street or public place. Removal must take place within 1 hour after notification to the owner that their animal is deceased in such a place (fines $100-$200). - No owner shall fail to provide their animal with sufficient good and wholesome food, water and proper shelter to protect them from the weather. Also veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering and with humane care and treatment (misdemeanor). - No owner shall abandon such animal. - No person shall beat cruelly, torment, overload, overwork, or otherwise abuse an animal (felony, misdemeanor). - No animal fighting, of any kind, allowed (felony). - Geese and swine prohibited within the city. - Fowl, sheep, goats, and other grazing animals cannot go at large to graze within the city. - Any person who, as the operator of a motor vehicle, strikes a domestic animal or cat shall stop at once and render such assistance as may be possible and shall immediately report such injury or death to the animals owner. In the event that the owner cannot be ascertained or located the accident shall be reported immediately to the city animal shelter or police. - No person shall own, harbor or possess any animal (including birds) that continuously or frequently creates an unreasonable noise across a real property boundary line. - This provision is specifically intended to address a barking dog to be defined as a dog that continuously barks for a ten-minute period or intermittently for 30 minutes. (Chapter 165: NOISE).
NORTH CAROLINA
SB 460/HB 733 - AN ACT to regulate commercial dog breeding. For the purposes of this Article, the following terms, when used in the Article or the rules or orders made pursuant thereto, shall be construed respectively to mean: (5b) "Commercial breeder" means any person who, during any 12‑month period, maintains 15 or more adult female dogs for the primary purpose of the sale of their offspring as companion animals. (5c) "Commercial breeding operation" means the physical location or facility at which a commercial breeder breeds or maintains adult female dogs and their offspring. For purposes of this Article, commercial breeding operations shall not include those kennels or establishments operated primarily for the purpose of boarding or training hunting, sporting, herding, or guide dogs.
OHIO
HB79 - A BILL to amend section 955.11 of the Revised Code to remove pit bulls from the definition of "vicious dog" in state law.
Cincinnati - City Council changed the rules Wednesday (03/25/09). When the ordinance becomes effective in a month, people convicted of keeping, breeding, selling or transferring ownership in any way of a pit bull will face up to six months in jail, double the previous 90 days. The changes apply to any dog owner not grandfathered in when the pit bull ban went into effect in November 2003. Council members also added an increase in liability insurance required to be kept by owners whose pit bulls have been registered since before the ban. That insurance is now $100,000, double what it had been. That amount matches the amount in state dog laws, council members said.
Norwalk - (3/26/09) - The other big topic at the work session was the proposed resolution on vicious dogs. After a lengthy discussion, council asked Law Director Stuart O'Hara to prepare two versions of the resolution for consideration at the next meeting one with language identifying all pit bulls as vicious dogs and another without labeling any breed as vicious and is based solely on a dog's behavior. State law identifies pit bulls as vicious dogs, requires their owners to carry insurance covering possible attacks by their dogs and has rules for housing pit bulls.
The proposed city legislation also identifies pit bulls as vicious dogs and requires the insurance, but also requires pit bull owners to pay a $50 registration fee, install a microchip into their animals and give police a photograph of their dogs. Dog Warden Bill Duncan said the city needs legislation to handle vicious dogs.
OREGON
HB 2986 - AN ACT relating to the inbreeding of dogs. Prohibits inbreeding of dogs by breeder. Makes first violation subject to maximum fine of $360. Makes second or subsequent violation subject to maximum fine of $720. Requires breeder to keep records showing parentage and grandparentage of dogs and puppies. Makes violation subject to maximum fine of $720.
Medford - (3/28/09) - Wildlife Images director Dave Siddon could tell countless horror stories of wild animals, from lions to bears, adopted as cute babies then cast away after gaining several hundred pounds. "We probably are approached by a half-dozen people a month that have wild animals as a pet and they need a home for it," said Siddon, whose father founded the animal rehabilitation center near Merlin. "Everything from bears to chinchillas and everything in between." Siddon applauded an Oregon Senate bill passed Tuesday that, if approved by the House, would essentially ban exotic, nonindigenous animals from being kept as pets in the state. First introduced five years ago by Democratic Sen. Mark Hass of Beaverton when a pet alligator escaped its enclosure and wound up sick and dying in a culvert, the law could take affect as early as May. Siddon said the proposed law is "something that's been a long time coming" and could lead to stronger laws for other types of wild animals.
PENNSYLVANIA
Conewago Twp - (3/20/09) - Conewago Township has adopted ordinance that's meant to give the township a way to regulate noise from barking dogs. The ordinance was approved this week by a 4-1 margin, with Supervisor Robert Legore casting the sole dissenting vote. Legore said he voted against the measure because he thinks it puts an unnecessary strain on the police force. "Basically I believe we just spent a lot of money for the SPCA to be our dog enforcement," Legore said following the Monday meeting at which the ordinance passed. "I think this is something the SPCA should be taking care of, they should be doing their job. The township police have enough to do." Conewago Township agreed to donate $2,500 to the Adams County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as part of an animal-services agreement for 2009. In the contract, the SPCA agrees to the housing and care of stray dogs and cats, including a state-mandated 10-day quarantine for animals that have bitten humans. The contract lists many other services provided to the township, including that the SPCA will provide consultation to the township on animal-related ordinances, and conduct investigations and enforcement in cases of animal cruelty and neglect. The contract makes no mention of enforcing township regulations on barking dogs. The newly adopted ordinance regulates the barking of dogs, declares unreasonable barking to be a nuisance and prescribes penalties for violations. According to the ordinance barking will be considered a nuisance "if the noise interferes with or deprives any person of the peace, quiet, rest, sleep, or legitimate enjoyment of their property within the Township." The new regulations state that if a dog barks for 15 minutes or more than twice per day, the owner may face a fine of up to $600 plus costs for each incident. Fines are to be determined by the district justice on a case-by-case basis. Each day of violation constitutes a separate violation and is subject to separate penalties.
Pittsburgh - (3/24/09) - Local leaders are promising to address the growing number of abandoned pit bulls in the Pittsburgh area. Reacting to a KDKA investigation on the problem, Pittsburgh City Councilman Bruce Kraus says the city will consider tighter controls. "Having this story come to light, I'm absolutely willing to sit down, do my homework and do my research to see if that's not something that's possible to do here in the City of Pittsburgh," Kraus said. Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato says he's seen the problem worsen since his days as a city councilman. "The issue is pit bulls that are loose, that are not on a leash, that are not with a person – they're being let loose and have the potential to attack people -- especially kids," he said. And the problem isn't contained to the city. The shelter at Animal Protectors in New Kensington is also inundated with stray pit bulls. Onorato says he will consider legislation to address the problem countywide. "I think it's the right thing to do."
Reading - (3/26/09) - Reading's Animal Control Board is considering a limit on the number of pets city households would be allowed to have. Members did not give a reason why a limit might be needed. The city has no limit now, but other Berks County municipalities do, board Chairman Barry A. Pease told members Wednesday night. Robeson Township, for instance, allows residents to own as many as four dogs, said Harry D. Brown III, executive director of the Animal Rescue League in Cumru Township, which enforces the city's dog laws. Robeson residents who want more dogs must get a state kennel license. And Sinking Spring, he said, allows a total of only four pets, regardless of type - a dog, a cat and two gerbils would put a household at the limit. The city board hasn't proposed a specific number. Any recommendation it makes would be subject to City Council for adoption. The Animal Control Board also is rewriting the city's dog-bite ordinance, which was ruled invalid last year by the state Commonwealth Court. The decision left the city with no local regulations to control vicious dogs.
1976, RELATING TO CERTAIN DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE A DANGEROUS ANIMAL
MEANS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, AN ANIMAL THAT MAKES AN UNPROVOKED ATTACK ON A
DOMESTIC ANIMAL OR AN ANIMAL WHOSE CERTAIN ACTIONS WOULD CAUSE A PERSON
REASONABLY TO BELIEVE THE ANIMAL WILL ATTACK AND CAUSE BODILY INJURY TO A
DOMESTIC ANIMAL. (BSL)
01/27/09 House Introduced and read first time HJ-13
01/27/09 House Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-14
A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
47-1-145, TO ENACT THE "PROVISIONS FOR COST OF ANIMAL CARE ACT OF 2009", TO
PROVIDE THAT THE CUSTODIAN OF AN ANIMAL TAKEN INTO CUSTODY DUE TO CIVIL OR
CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS BY ITS OWNER MAY PETITION THE COURT FOR EXPENSES RELATED
TO PROVIDING CARE TO THE ANIMAL, TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR HEARING SUCH
PETITIONS AND FOR THE COLLECTION AND USE OF FUNDS ORDERED TO BE PAID, TO
PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO FAILS TO PAY SUCH FUNDS FORFEITS RIGHTS OF OWNERSHIP
TO THE ANIMAL, TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISPOSITION OF SUCH AN ANIMAL, AND TO
PROVIDE FOR THE RETURN OF FUNDS WHEN A PERSON IS NOT FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION;
TO AMEND SECTION 47-1-130, RELATING TO CRUELTY TO ANIMALS, TO PROVIDE THAT
AGENTS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS,
OR ANY OTHER SOCIETY DULY INCORPORATED FOR THAT PURPOSE, MAY ASSIST WITH A
LAWFUL INVESTIGATION OF THIS CHAPTER, BUT MAY ONLY EFFECTUATE AN ARREST OF A
PERSON IF THEY HAVE BEEN VESTED WITH THE POWER TO ARREST BY A SHERIFF OR THE
GOVERNING BODY OF A COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY; AND TO AMEND SECTION 47-1-140,
RELATING TO NOTICE PROVIDED TO THE OWNER OF ANIMALS WHICH HAVE BEEN SEIZED
FROM OTHERS UPON ARREST, TO REMOVE SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR AGENTS OF THE SOUTH
CAROLINA SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS, OR ANY OTHER
SOCIETY DULY INCORPORATED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
12/17/08 Senate Prefiled
12/17/08 Senate Referred to Committee on Agriculture and Natural
Resources
01/13/09 Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-185
01/13/09 Senate Referred to Committee on Agriculture and Natural
Resources SJ-185
03/12/09 Senate Committee report: Favorable with amendment
Agriculture and Natural Resources SJ-10
03/17/09 Senate Committee Amendment Adopted SJ-16
03/17/09 Senate Read second time SJ-16
03/24/09 Senate Read third time and sent to House SJ-24
03/25/09 House Introduced and read first time HJ-12
03/25/09 House Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-13
TEXAS
HB243 - AN ACT relating to equipping each K-9 law enforcement vehicle with a heat alarm system
HB405 - AN ACT relating to the authority of an animal control officer to carry a bite prevention stick in the performance of official duties
HB1395 - AN ACT relating to the offenses of cruelty to livestock animals and cruelty to nonlivestock animals
HB3322 - AN ACT relating to participation in an animal identification system
HB3380 - AN ACT relating to the barking of dogs in unincorporated areas of a county
SB632 - AN ACT relating to the authority of the governing body of a municipality to create a municipal court equal justice and education fund and to require certain defendants to pay court costs for deposit in the fund. The governing body of a municipality by ordinance may create a municipal court equal justice and education fund and may require a defendant convicted of a misdemeanor offense in a municipal court or municipal court of record to pay a $1 equal justice and education fee as a cost of court for deposit in the fund.
SB1840 - AN ACT relating to inclusion of pets and other companion animals in protective orders; providing a penalty.
SB1851 - AN ACT relating to the posting of notice by a county sheriff regarding impounded estrays.
San Angelo - City Council this afternoon (03/17/29) narrowly enacted an ordinance requiring a permit for animal breeders. Approved by a 4-3 vote, the ordinance will require all breeders to pay $100 for every unaltered dog or cat they own and defines a breeder as anyone who "sells, trades or offers to sell" a litter of dog or cats from a dog or cat that has not been spayed or neutered. The council this afternoon also approved an ordinance regulating the tethering and housing of dogs by a 6-1 vote, although not before another hour of discussion. Debate on a third ordinance, requiring a free multi-pet license for those owning at least seven dogs, is set to begin shortly
Flower Mound - (3/28/09) - Flower Mound’s animal services board is considering a move that would make leash laws for dogs more strict. During Tuesday’s meeting, board members discussed changing the ordinance. The town council would have to give approval on the change, and board chair Christina Howard said the item could be brought before town council by May or June. The current ordinance, as it pertains to dog control, requires dogs in general public areas to either be on a leash or be in immediate effective control, which means that the dog is trained to respond to voice command immediately or is on an electronic device. The proposed ordinance would eliminate the immediate effective control option. The board is suggesting dogs be on a 16-foot lead, which provides flexibility for owners who have a retractable leash. “We’re looking at this because of a growing population and the general population’s expectations,” Howard said. “We’ve had an increase in incidents, as well as multiple requests for this from our residents.” The town already has an ordinance in place similar to the proposed change for dogs in a public park as well as all trail system areas. However, the maximum length allowed for a leash in those areas is 6 feet. The current ordinance has been in effect since 1989, Howard said. The penalty for a violation is a $149 citation. Howard said the proposed ordinance applies only to dogs. The ordinance for cats, which requires them to be on a leash once they leave the owner’s property, will remain as it is. Howard said the animal services board will likely look at the issue again before moving it along to town council.
UTAH
Ogden - (3/29/09) - The city council is considering adding teeth to the municipality's animal-control ordinance through tougher requirements for pit bull owners. Possible ordinance amendments are slated to be discussed by the council during an April 21 meeting that will also include a public hearing. If adopted, the changes would go into effect July 1. Best Friends Animal Society, a Kanab organization that has gained attention for its work in rehabilitating 22 pit bulls that belonged to former Atlanta Falcon quarterback Michael Vick, doesn't favor changes to the ordinance. Spokesman John Polis said the organizaton is against it because it targets a particular breed. "We are against breed-discriminatory legislation," he said. However, Ogden City Councilwoman Dorrene Jeske said she favors amending the municipality's animal-control ordinance. She believes the ordinance amendments would make it more difficult for people to own pit bulls, resulting in fewer dog complaints for police to investigate, which would free them up for other duties. Proposed changes to Ogden's animal-control ordinance call for pit bull owners to have liability insurance or a surety bond for at least $50,000. In addition, owners of dangerous dogs would be required to have liability insurance or a bond for at least $100,000. Pit bulls would also have to be registered with the city and implanted with a microchip so they can be identified. The dogs would be required to wear a collar with a specially colored tag to further identify them. Owners of pit bulls would have to confine their dogs indoors or in a securely enclosed, locked pen and display a sign indicating there is a dangerous or vicious dog on the premises. Other cities throughout Utah are also taking a tough stance against pit bulls. North Salt Lake has had an ordinance in place for about 18 years that targets dangerous dogs and is similar to the one being considered by the Ogden City Council. South Jordan has an ordinance banning pit bulls, except for those that were in the city before the enactment of the statute in 1997.
VERMONT
Manchester - (3/19/09) - The town is safe from unlicensed dogs, at least for now. Earlier this week Manchester Town Clerk Linda Spence said only one dog remained on the town's unlicensed dogs list. Manchester Town Manager John O'Keefe said the town used multiple resources — such as the DMV list, the Statewide voter checklist, and the white pages — to locate the names of people on their list. "Now we've really done our due diligence and rid the town of unlicensed dogs and unlicensed dogs tend to be unvaccinated," said O'Keefe. According to previous reports, residents had until Sept. 1, 2008 to license and vaccinate their dogs under the amnesty period — resulting in a fee of $44. That amnesty period was extended, but once the town puts the new ordinance in place licensing alone would cost a dog owner $132 — the $44 fee applied to all three of the years the dog was unlicensed. In addition, payment for all the past tickets for the dog being unlicensed and unvaccinated would be enforced. The tickets given to the owner for the dog being unlicensed increase in value — $40 for the initial ticket, $60 for the second ticket and $125 for each subsequent ticket. Therefore, if a dog owner were issued six tickets, he or she would have to pay a total of $600 just for past licensing tickets, O'Keefe said in a previous interview. The same system exists for tickets given to owners whose dogs are unvaccinated, but the fees are more costly. The first ticket distributed would be for $60, the second for $125, and each subsequent ticket $250. If all six of these tickets were enforced on a dog owner the cost would be $1,185 — bringing the combined ticket totals for both the unlicensed and unvaccinated dog to $1,917, according to previous reports. One upside to the process, O'Keefe said, was that the number of dogs that were unlicensed and that the town had never known about before increased significantly. Even though the town has been successful in having owners license their dogs, O'Keefe made it clear that the town would not stop enforcing the law.
VIRGINIA
Reported by Sharyn Hutchens - Thank you Sharyn ! Those of you in Virginia may want to check out the VFDC website. Click here to do so !
The following bills in Virginia are dead.
DEAD - HB 2220 - A BILL to amend and reenact § 3.2-6543 of the Code of Virginia, relating to salaries and expenses of animal control officers.
DEAD - HB 2669 - 'Humane investigators' are minimally trained volunteer (unpaid, unless a locality wants to pay their expenses) ACOs but with many of the investigative powers of the real thing.
WEST VIRGINIA
HB2843 - A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §19-20-26, relating to commercial dog breeding operations; definitions; commercial dog breeder required to have a valid business license; requirements for maintaining a commercial dog breeding operation; cooperation with inspections by animal control officers to ensure compliance with state and federal animal care laws
SB745 - A BILL to amend and reenact §19-14-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to providing moneys from an additional commercial feed distributor fee assessed to commercial feed distributors to fund a statewide spay and neuter program; and creating the Spay Neuter Assistance Fund.
Huntington - (3/19/09) - A new policy proposed by the Marshall University Board of Governors that will ban animals from buildings on Marshall's campus may soon pass. According to proposed Policy No. GA-15, domestic animals are not suitable to bring on campus because people may have a fear or an allergy associated with the animal, the animal may be a nuisance or a distraction and animals can be unpredictable and can exhibit uncontrollable behavior. The policy says that all the factors present both a safety and health hazard for the university community. Service dogs are the only exception to the new policy because they are authorized on campus at all times. Bill Palmer, professor of history at Marshall, is one faculty member who will feel the effect of this proposal. He has been bringing his dog, Nemo, a black labrador retriever, to his office on the quiet weekends for about five years. "My objection to the policy s that it just makes no statement as why this is a problem. It makes no effort to contact or reach out to people that might be effected by it. I think that's very shortsighted," Palmer said. Palmer said he's willing to listen to what the Board of Governors has to say about the policy but he thinks some guidelines could be set up instead of banning animals from buildings.
COUNTRIES OF OTHER INTEREST
Canada
Cote St Luc - (3/24/09) - City council has given second reading to a proposed new bylaw that will compel the owners or custodians of "dangerous" dogs to muzzle them although it will not sppecify any particular breed of dog. "We made a decision at this point that the bylaw does not call out any specific breed," Mayor Anthony Housefather said. "So we are not calling out pitbulls or any other breed of dog, and saying that everyone from certain species needs to be muzzled," he added. "That is currently the council's intention. So for those owners of certain breeds that lobbied us, your views were listened to and we decided not to go down that path for the moment."
Italy
Rome - March 3 - Italy is to scrap its blacklist of dangerous dogs, replacing it with a law making owners more responsible for their pet`s training and behaviour. The new law, which will come into effect in April, will wipe clean the current list of 17 breeds which are considered potentially dangerous, including Rottweilers, pit bull terriers, bull mastiffs and American bulldogs. Breeds that are on the soon-to-be-eliminated blacklist include: American Bulldog; Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog (Cane da pastore di Charplanina); Anatolian Shepherd (Cane da pastore dell'Anatolia); Central Asian Shepherd Dog (Cane da pastore dell'Asia centrale); Shepherd Dog of the Caucasus (Cane da pastore del Caucaso); Estrela Mountain Dog (Cane da Serra da Estreilla); Dogo Argentino; Fila brazileiro; Perro da canapo majoero; Presa canario; Perro de presa Mallorquin; Pit bull; Pit bull mastiff; Pit bull terrier; Portuguese Mastiff (Rafeiro do alentejo); Rottweiler; Tosa inu
