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Legislation
Protect Your Rights! Don't Let Others Make the Decisions for Your Pets
As a regional club, Mayflower promotes responsible pet ownership on every level, from breeder ethics, to running an active and successful rescue program. We believe that each owner, breeder, family, has the right to make ethical and responsible decisions for their pets and as such we strive to bring you up to date information about proposed legislation within the Mayflower PWCC family of states. These states include Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine and New York. We urge you to flag this page as your 'favorite' and check in often. Legislation happens quickly, and often with little notice. Please help every dog owner across the country to maintain their individual rights by voting with your voice.
10/7/2009 With the exception of Massachusetts all state legislatures are in recess. |
Legislation You Should Care About
| CT | DOGS SOLD IN PET SHOPS
HB5118 Any dog or cat imported into this state shall be accompanied by a certificate of health issued no earlier than thirty days prior to the date of importation by a licensed, graduate veterinarian stating that such dog or cat is free from symptoms of any infectious, contagious or communicable disease, and that such dog or cat, if three months of age or older, is currently vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Any dog sold or offered for sale by a pet shop licensee in this state shall be accompanied by a certificate of origin identifying the name and address of the person, firm or corporation that bred such dog and of any person, firm or corporation that sold such dog to such pet shop licensee. Such information contained in the certificate of origin shall be posted in a conspicuous manner not more than ten feet from the location where such dog is displayed for sale. A copy of such certificate shall be provided to the purchaser of such dog at the time of sale.
Current Status:Referred to Joint Committee on Environment 2/10/2010.
| | MA | DEVOCALIZATION BAN PASSES HOUSE ON 3/3/10
MA HB344 makes it illegal to debark a dog. Penalty is 5 year imprisonment and $2500 fine which is unreasonable and excessive. MassFed states that this bill, which is poorly written and infringes of the rights of owners and their veterinarians to make healthcare decisions and is part of a coordinated campaign by animal rights groups. It is opposed by MVMA, the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and the AKC. MassFed indicates that it will cause the surrender and/or euthanasia of dogs who bark and cause neighbor complaints and are labeled a public nuisance. It creates excessive, undue paperwork for vets and town clerks. Proponents of the bill submit that devocalization is done for "cosmetic" purposes when in fact it is done in extreme cases when all other methods to stop uncontrolled barking have failed. If you wish to express your opinion about this bill please phone/fax/email/snailmail your Senator . FOR MORE INFORMATION: Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners Julie Rembrandt Seeley, Corresponding Secretary; jrembrandtseeley@aol.com; 978-456-8644 Virginia Rowland, President; blackslate@aol.com; 978-424-1044
| | MA | MASSFED GENERAL MEETING AND LOBBY DAY
General meeting, Wednesday, March 3, 2010, 7 p.m., CAC Digital Copy Center, 42 Summer Street, Maynard, MA 01754, prepare for Lobby Day
Lobby Day, April 1, 2010, State House, Boston,
FMI see MassFed membership page : www.massfeddogs.org/Membership.html
| | ME | LAWS AGAINST ILLEGAL "PUPPY MILL" OPERATORS
ME SP0605/LR2072 strengthens the laws against illegal "puppy mill" operators by raising the crimes from Class D to Class C when 25 or more animals are involved, authorizes the state to recover the costs of relocating the animals and authorizes the imposition of a fine of not less than $500 for each offense. Current Status:1/12/2010 referred bill to Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. 1/14/2010 referred bill to House Committee.
| | NH | UNREASONABLE BREEDER BILL
NH House Bill 1624 seeks to impose unreasonable and unnecessary restrictions on responsible dog breeders and owners. AKC opposes several provisions including:
1. limiting any person from owning more than 50 intact dogs over the age of 4 months;
2. requiring any person having more than 10 intact dogs over 4 months of age to provide specific care and condition requirements and abide by existing state operation standards for pet shops and animal shelters,
3. mandating that all debarking, tail docking, and surgical births be done by a licensed vet with anesthesia;
4. authorizing any duly appointed agent of any humane society, SPCA incorporated in the state, or animal control officer, on the Agriculture Commissioner's initiative or pursuant to complaints to investigate possible violations.
Hearing is set for Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010 1 p.m LOB 308 107 North Main St. Concord, NH 03301
| | NH | DOGS IN RESTAURANTS
NH HB1417 allows properly discipline companion dogs in certain areas of restaurants. Current Status:Referred to House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee. Next hearing 2/2/2010 10 a.m. LOB 302.
Expected to pass on 2/17/2010
| | NY | DOCKING
NY A07218 prohibits the docking of dog tails for reasons other than to protect the life or health of the dog as deemed necessary by a duly licensed veterinarian. Any person who cuts the tails for reasons other than life or health of dog or any person who shows or exhibits a dog whose tail has been docked or altered is guilty of a misdeanor punishable gy a fine of not more than five hundred dollars. Does not apply to dogs that have been certified as tail docked prior to August 1, 2009.
Current Status:Referred to Agriculture Committee 1/6/2010.
| | NY | MULTIPLE BILLS OF INTEREST/CONCERN
2) A07983 care of dogs and cats by pet dealers (must employ attending veterinarian, provide opportunity for exercise, increase licensing fees) 1/6/2010 referred to Agriculture
3) S02219 requires all dogs and their owners to successfully complete obedience training. 1/6/2010 referred to Agriculture.
4) A02711 provides of compensation for loss of companionship and comfort for loss of companion animal (see Massachusetts).
5) A02593 amends the penal law to include the theft of dogs and cats within the crime of grand larceny. 1/6/2010 referred to Codes.
6) A06797 makes it unlawful to conduct excessive (no definition of excessive) breeding of dogs in an uncontrolled manner and location so as to be cruel and inhumane. 1/6/2010 referred to Agriculture.
7) A09449 requires the release of a shelter animal to a rescue group upon the request of the rescue group prior to euthanasia of the animal (who would want it after euthanasia???) 1/6/2010 referred to Agriculture.
8) S02211 requires all dogs be microchipped and creates a state registry available 24 hours a day. 1/6/2010 referred to Agriculture.
9) S05392 limits the number of intact animals over 4 months of age a person or business can own to 50. 1/6/2010 referred to Agriculture.
10) A02566 prevents insurers from canceling or refusing to issue or renew or charge higher rates to homeowners based on the breed of dog owned. 1/6/2010 referred to Agriculture.
11) A02564 No person over 62 years of age shall be denied occupancy or be subject to eviction in multiple family dwellings solely because of keeping common household pets. 1/6/2010 referred to Housing.
| | RI | RABIES CHALLENGE PASSED
The Rabies Challenge has now passed the legislature in RI and the 3 year requirement should be enacted soon. This now means that all 50 states have a 3 year rabies vaccine.
The Rhode Island Rabies Control Board meets February 22 at 9:30 a.m. Room 370, Division of Agriculture, 235 Promenade St. Providence. New 3 year rabies regulations approved at the April 2009 meeting are to be discussed. http://sos.ri.gov/documents/publicinfo/omdocs/notices/13/2010/84585.pdf. Concerned pet owners should make every effort to attend this meeting and ask their friends to do the same. If you cannot attend the meeting, but want to voice your opinion, please contact Chair of the Board, RI State Veterinarian, Dr. Scott Marshall at scott.marshall@dem.ri.gov, phone (401)222-2781 and ask that the regulatory change to 3 year protocol be made effective as soon as possible.
| | RI | CRUELTY
RI S2023 expands the scope of provisions against unnecessary cruelty to animals (what is necessary cruelty to animals???). Current Status:1/13/2010 referred to Senate Constitutional and Regulatory Issues.
| | VT | NOTHING AT THIS TIME
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